Cultural and Historical Support Grant

The Cultural and Historical Support Grant is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) to provide general operating support to eligible museums and official county historical societies within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This state-funded initiative aims to strengthen the museum community across the state by offering financial assistance to institutions that lack significant support from other state agencies. The grant is funded through the PHMC’s operating budget as appropriated by the Pennsylvania state legislature and is specifically restricted to this use. Eligible applicants include Pennsylvania-based museums with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff member or approved equivalent. Museums must also meet the American Association of Museums’ definition of a museum and demonstrate administrative autonomy if part of a multipurpose organization. Official county historical societies may also apply, with specific eligibility criteria such as having at least 100 paid members, conducting public meetings annually, and maintaining a permanent physical facility open to the public at least 100 days per year. Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3) or be a local government entity and must be registered with the Pennsylvania Commission on Charitable Organizations. The grant supports a range of general operating expenses, including salaries and wages, benefits, insurance, professional development, telecommunications, printing and publication, marketing, fundraising, supplies, and minor equipment purchases. However, it does not fund capital improvements, acquisitions, endowments, or projects of a religious or entertainment nature. Additionally, grant funds cannot be used for lobbying or for programs not open to the public or taking place outside Pennsylvania. Applications are accepted annually, typically opening in early July and closing near the end of August. All applications must be submitted through the Commonwealth’s Electronic Single Application for Assistance system, and applicants may need to register for a Keystone Login to access the platform. A hard copy submission is not required. Award determinations are made by PHMC staff and subject to approval by the Commission, with allocations calculated based on an organization's most recent operating budget. Museums may receive awards ranging from 1% to 2% of their budget, up to a maximum of $65,000, while official county historical societies are capped at $8,000. Though participation in the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) programs is not required, PHMC encourages applicants to demonstrate adherence to museum standards through AAM’s Pledge of Excellence, Core Documents Verification, or accreditation. Applicants must disclose their AAM participation status as part of the application process. Grant awards are contingent upon the annual availability of funds from the Commonwealth. Primary contact for the program is Rusty Baker, Executive Director of PA Museums, available at (717) 909-4951 or c-rubaker@pa.gov. General inquiries should be sent to RA-PHGrantSupport@pa.gov with the subject line "CHSG." Information and updates, including the opening of the application window, will be posted on the PHMC website.

Applicants are encouraged to follow and disclose AAM best practices including the Pledge of Excellence and Accreditation.