MERCER COUNTY HISTORY REGRANT PROGRAM
FY25 GUIDELINES

Introduction:
The Mercer County History Regrant Program is a partnership initiative between the New Jersey Historical Commission and the County of Mercer. These funds are aimed at supporting historic sites, organizations, and history programs throughout Mercer County. The application process is now exclusively online through Foundant.

Application Calendar:

April 1, 2024: Application Open
July 1, 2024: Application Deadline
August 2024: Peer Panel Review
September 2024: Commission Review, Administrative Review & Approval
December 2024: Notification of Awards/Contracts Issued
June 2025: Interim Report Update
January 2026: Final Report Due
Program Year: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

Eligibility:
Eligible applicants include:

Mercer County-based non-profit history organizations, societies, and sites
Other Mercer County non-profit organizations offering history-related programs
Mercer County-based community and educational entities, including libraries, universities, colleges, and schools
Applicants must be incorporated in New Jersey, be in existence for at least two years, and be approved as a non-profit organization under the IRS's Section 501(c)(3) or Section 501(c)(4).
Types of Grants:

General Operating Support (GOS): Available to non-profit history organizations, providing funding for basic operating costs.
Special Projects (SP): Available to non-profits and government units, supporting history events, programs, or projects related to NJ, Mercer County, or its municipalities.
Match Requirements:

GOS grants require a full cash match (1:1) from the applicant.
SP grants require a 1:1 cash match, with 50% of the match allowed to be in the form of in-kind donations.
Ineligible Expenses:

Acquisitions, capital improvements, deficits, endowments, scholarships/prizes, restoration or preservation of structures, etc.
Grant Payments & Reporting:
Grants are distributed in two payments, with a brief update due by June 2025 and a final report due by January 2026. Final payments are made upon receipt of a satisfactory final report.

Appeals Process:
Organizations can appeal if their application was misinterpreted or misunderstood by the Review Panel. Appeals are reviewed by a 3-person panel of Commissioners.

Notice:
Grant awards are dependent on funding levels approved by the State for the New Jersey Historical Commission and County History Partnership Program. Organizations are advised to plan programming and expenditures carefully.

For further details, please refer to the full guidelines available on Foundant or contact the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage.

Grant renewed every year.