New Jersey Historic Trust Announces Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund Grants

• Posted on: 01/22/2024

Application Period Open for $10M in Preservation Planning, Municipal, County, and Regional Planning, Heritage Tourism, and Capital Grant Funding

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Historic Trust (the Trust) today announced that applications for the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund grants are now available. Applications and supporting documents submitted on USB drives must be received by April 18, 2024.

This year, the Trust will offer Historic Site Management grants for preservation planning; municipal, county, and regional planning; and heritage tourism; as well as Capital Preservation grants for ‘bricks and mortar’ projects. Eligible applicants are 501c non-profit organizations, as well as units of county, municipal, or state government. Properties must be listed or certified eligible for listing on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places by August 1, 2024 to qualify to receive funds.

“Investing in the preservation and restoration of historic places is not just a financial commitment, it's a testament to our dedication to safeguarding the roots of our shared cultural heritage,” said Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez, who serves as Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). “By funding these types of projects, we can honor the stories, craftsmanship, and character of these historic properties for the next generation.”

“The New Jersey Historic Trust is excited to announce a new round of grant applications for historic preservation projects,” said New Jersey Historic Trust Executive Director Glenn Ceponis. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to assist stewards of New Jersey’s historic properties.”

Planning grants may be used for activities that will assist in preparing for the long-term stewardship, development, and successful management of historic sites, including developing preservation plans, engineering studies, or archaeological assessments. Heritage tourism initiatives may include visitor readiness surveys, wayfinding, and developing linkages between attractions. The Trust is also offering grants for municipal, county, and regional planning projects that are intended to foster sound strategies and stewardship  of New Jersey’s historic properties by developing Local Historic Preservation Ordinances, historic preservation components to a municipal or county Master Plan, architectural surveys, or Design Guidelines. The maximum grant request for planning grants is $75,000. The matching grant requires a $1 match for every $3 requested.

Capital preservation grants may be used for construction expenses related to the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of a historic property and professional fees necessary to prepare and complete the construction project. There are three 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. At Level III - Multiphase, the minimum request is $500,000 and the maximum request is $750,000 per phase and requires a match of $1 for every $1 requested. Level III – Multiphase facilitates funding for larger complex projects. The Trust may commit up to three years of funding, assuming all other requirements have been met. All construction projects should be supported by previous investigations, such as preservation plans or assessments.

Applications and guidelines are available on the Trust’s website: https://www.nj.gov/dca/njht/programs/preservenj/overview/

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the Grant Guidelines to determine if the proposed project is eligible for funding. Staff is available to answer questions at 609-984-0473 or njht@dca.nj.gov.

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 $185 million in matching grants have 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 New Jersey’s heritage and strengthen its communities.

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, rental assistance, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, and privacy protection.

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

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: