Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program

The Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program is a longstanding annual initiative that supports the preservation and promotion of cultural and natural heritage within Douglas County, Kansas. Established in 2011, the program is administered by the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Office and governed by the Heritage Conservation Council (HCC), which advises the Board of County Commissioners on award recommendations. The program is designed to support a wide range of heritage-related projects—from cultural celebrations to land conservation and historic preservation—by providing funding to eligible local organizations. For the 2026 cycle, the County has allocated $250,000 in total grant funding, including a dedicated $40,000 for small-scale Seed Grants. Two grant tiers are available: Seed Grants, which fund projects up to $5,000, and Target Grants, which range from $5,001 to $60,000. Seed Grants are intended for smaller or pilot initiatives and benefit from a streamlined application process. Target Grants, by contrast, are expected to deliver significant and lasting conservation outcomes and must demonstrate community support or investment through matching resources, though no formal match is required. All projects must be completed within two years of award, with a projected start date of May 1, 2026, and completion by May 1, 2028. Applicants can include nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, for-profit businesses, cemetery associations, and units of local government within Douglas County. Funding may be used for a range of expenses including personnel, contractor fees, materials, travel, communications, and indirect costs (capped at 10% unless otherwise approved). Projects must address at least one of three thematic categories: Cultural Heritage, Natural Heritage, or Historic Preservation. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate multidisciplinary approaches, elevate underrepresented stories, promote rural heritage, protect open spaces, or improve accessibility to historic sites. Historic preservation projects must involve structures over 50 years old and may require review and approval from the State Historic Preservation Office. The application process begins with a mandatory pre-application meeting with the Heritage Coordinator, Kaitlyn Ammerlaan, to be completed by February 20, 2026. This step ensures alignment with program goals and helps applicants refine their proposals. Full applications must be submitted through the online portal no later than 5:00 pm CT on March 5, 2026. Seed Grant applicants have fewer narrative requirements due to the reduced scope of their proposals. Letters of support are encouraged for all applications involving partnerships. Applications are evaluated by HCC members using published criteria focused on feasibility, public benefit, equity, urgency, and sustainability. Applications will be reviewed in late March and early April, with final recommendations presented to the Board of County Commissioners by mid-April. Award announcements are expected on or around April 16, 2026. Seed Grants will be distributed as lump sums upon execution of agreements, while larger grants will be disbursed in stages, including a final 10% reimbursement upon project completion and approval of final reporting. Quarterly reports are required for projects lasting longer than six months, and final reports are mandatory for all funded projects.

Clear and concise applications are encouraged; strong alignment with heritage themes and public benefit improves scoring.