Application Period Open for Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund Grants

• Posted on: 01/8/2026

Funding Available for Preservation Planning, Municipal, County, and Regional Planning, Heritage Tourism, and Capital Projects

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Historic Trust (the Trust), an affiliate agency of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), today announced that applications for the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund grants are now available. Applications and supporting documents must be submitted by April 16, 2026, to be considered for this grant round. The Trust anticipates $10 million in available grant funding.

“Historic preservation is about more than saving buildings. It’s about strengthening communities and honoring the people and stories that shaped them,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “These grants give nonprofits and local governments the resources they need to plan thoughtfully, invest responsibly, and keep New Jersey’s historic sites active and accessible for years to come.”

Once again, the Trust will offer preservation planning; municipal, county, and regional planning; heritage tourism; and capital preservation, i.e., ‘bricks and mortar’ grants. Eligible applicants are 501(c) nonprofit 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 3, 2026, to be eligible to receive funds.

“The New Jersey Historic Trust is pleased to once again offer grants through the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund,” said New Jersey Historic Trust Executive Director Glenn Ceponis. “These grants play a key role in making the preservation of New Jersey’s historic sites attainable for so many.”

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. Grants for municipal, county, and regional planning projects are intended to foster sound stewardship for 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 historic properties including professional fees necessary to prepare and complete the construction project. There are three levels of capital requests. At Level I, the minimum request is $5,000 and the maximum request is $150,000 and requires a match of $2 for every $3 requested. At Level II, the minimum request is $150,000 and 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 (with a minimum of two phases) 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 $200 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 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: