History Re-grant Program

The Union County History Re-Grant Program is a competitive funding initiative administered by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs (UCOCHA), a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation. The program is funded by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the New Jersey Department of State, and is designed to support historical programming, general operations, and special projects related to Union County and broader New Jersey history. The 2026 grant cycle will cover programs taking place from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Two grant types are available through this program. General Operating Support (GOS) grants assist Union County-based nonprofit historical societies, house museums, and historic sites with operational expenses, including staffing, program development, collections maintenance, and marketing. The maximum award under this category is $7,500 and cannot exceed 33 percent of the organization's total operating budget. Special Projects (SP) grants provide support to a wider range of organizations, including schools, libraries, and museums that conduct programming related to local or New Jersey history. The SP grants have a maximum award of $5,000. To be eligible, nonprofit applicants must be based in Union County, incorporated in New Jersey, have 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status (or be in the process of obtaining it), and have been operational for at least two years. They must demonstrate a history of providing public access to history programming or services. Government units, such as public schools and libraries, are also eligible if their proposed work focuses on Union County history. Non-history nonprofits may also apply under the SP category if they meet similar structural and historical relevance requirements. All applications must be submitted online to the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs. To access the application portal, applicants must email John Prescott, History Programs Coordinator, at jprescott@ucnj.org to request a link. The final deadline to submit applications is Friday, September 19, 2025, at 11:45 p.m. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with NJHC priorities, which include improving public access to historical resources, developing new historical programming, enhancing management of historic collections, and encouraging exploration of diverse and underrepresented historical narratives in New Jersey. Funded projects must include proper credit to the NJHC and comply with all applicable laws. Grant recipients are expected to attend at least one technical assistance workshop during the grant year. For further assistance or clarification, applicants may contact John Prescott at jprescott@ucnj.org or by phone at 908-436-2912.

Be sure to align your proposal with the priorities of the NJ Historical Commission. Avoid submitting requests for ineligible costs such as capital improvements or refreshments.