May 27, 2020 - New Jersey Historic Trust Reminds Applicants of Upcoming Deadline For Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund Grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 27, 2020

 Applications Due by June 4, 2020 at 4 p.m.

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Historic Trust (Trust) is reminding applicants that the deadline to apply for Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund grants is June 4, 2020. Applications must be submitted on this day by 4 p.m. 

This year, the Trust is offering both planning and heritage tourism grants for Historic Site Management and ‘brick and mortar’ grants for Capital Preservation. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, as well as units of county, municipal or state government. Eligible properties must be certified eligible for listing on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places by August 1, 2020.  

“Governor Murphy and I hope that nonprofit organizations and local government units will take advantage of these valuable historic preservation grants to improve and enrich their communities,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner. “This funding provides an opportunity for organizations and government entities to rescue and rehabilitate significant historic sites, revitalize their communities, and create opportunities for economic growth in New Jersey.” 

Planning grants may be used for activities that will assist in planning for long-term stewardship, development, and successful management of historic sites, including developing preservation plans, engineering studies, or archaeological assessments. The Trust is also offering grants to foster heritage tourism initiatives that may include visitor readiness surveys, wayfinding, and developing linkages between attractions. The maximum request for planning grants is $50,000 and requires a $1 match for every $3 requested.   

Capital preservation grants may be used for construction expenses related to the preservation, restoration, repair, and rehabilitation of historic property and professional fees necessary to prepare and complete the construction project. There are two levels of capital requests. At Level I, the maximum request is $150,000 and requires a match of $2 for every $3 requested. At Level II, the maximum request is $750,000 and requires a match of $1 for every $1 requested. All construction projects should be supported by previous studies such as preservation plans or assessments. The Trust will again offer applicants the opportunity to apply for a multi-phase project to facilitate funding for substantially complex projects. In this category, the Trust may commit up to three years of funding at the $750,000 level, assuming all other requirements have been met.  

“We look forward to the incoming round of applications,” said New Jersey Historic Trust Executive Director Dorothy Guzzo. “These grants will help to stabilize and revitalize our most precious historic assets, ensuring they are available for future generations.”

Applications and guidelines are available on the Trust’s website at
http://njht.org/dca/njht/applguid/. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the grant guidelines to determine if the proposed project is eligible for funding and may contact Trust staff with questions at 609-984-0473.  

To ensure safety during the COVID-19 state of emergency, supporting documents should be submitted on a USB flash drive via mail or delivery service whenever possible, rather than in person. Applicants that submit their USB flash drive via mail or delivery service will receive a confirmation email when a USB is received.  

If sending via the United States Postal Service (USPS), applicants should use the following address: 

New Jersey Historic Trust
Department of Community Affairs
P.O. Box 457
Trenton, NJ 08625-0212 

If sending via a delivery service such as FedEx or UPS, applicants should use the following address: 

New Jersey Historic Trust
101 South Broad Street, Sixth Floor
Trenton, NJ 08608 

The Trust staff is also allowing limited in-person deliveries on Thursday, June 4 in the lobby of the DCA building at 101 S. Broad Street from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. No deliveries will be accepted between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. For in-person deliveries, a mask or face covering must be worn. 

The Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund was established by legislation in 2016 after New Jersey voters approved a change to the state constitution to provide a stable source of funding for open space, farmland and historic preservation by dedicating funds from the corporate business tax. The Preserve New Jersey Fund continues the work of the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund (2000-2012) and the Historic Preservation Bond Program (1990-1997). Since 1990, more than $156 million in matching grants has been awarded to worthy historic preservation construction and planning projects throughout the state.  

Created by the State Legislature, the New Jersey Historic Trust is a nonprofit historic preservation organization affiliated with the Department of Community Affairs. Governed by a 15-member board of trustees, the mission of the Trust is to advance historic preservation in New Jersey for the benefit of future generations through education, stewardship and financial investment programs that save our heritage and strengthen our communities. 

For more information on the New Jersey Historic Trust and its funding programs, visit: http://www.njht.org.