Legends & Lore® Marker Grant Program

The Legends & Lore Marker Grant Program is offered by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, a private philanthropic organization focused on history, education, and public engagement. The Foundation's mission includes encouraging cultural tourism and commemorating folklore that reflects community identity and shared traditions. This program specifically funds roadside markers that highlight local legends, folktales, and folklife traditions to promote awareness and preservation of intangible cultural heritage in selected U.S. states. This fully-funded grant provides historical markers to eligible applicants who can demonstrate that the subject of their proposed inscription meets the Foundation’s criteria for folklore: namely, stories, customs, or traditions passed down within communities. Markers may focus on folktales (fictional accounts), legends (stories believed to be historical but unverified), or folklife traditions (such as local music, skills, or rituals with verifiable community significance). Literary works, personal or family folklore, and historical events that lack folkloric qualities are explicitly excluded from consideration. Grants are open to 501(c)(3) organizations, nonprofit academic institutions, and government entities at the local, state, or federal levels in 15 participating states: Alabama, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Individuals interested in applying must work through an eligible local partner, such as a historical society or folklore-related nonprofit. The application process is conducted entirely online through the Foundation's grant portal. Applicants must create an account and complete a detailed submission that includes the organization’s information, contact details, GPS coordinates and physical address of the proposed marker site, a brief description and justification for the subject, the proposed inscription text, and a signed letter of permission from the property owner where the marker will be installed. While primary sources are not mandatory, strong applications include documentation that supports the authenticity of the folklore. Uploaded supporting materials must be well-organized, legible, and meet specified size limits. Markers are cast aluminum (18” x 32”) with red backgrounds and beige lettering, including credit lines for both the state folklore partner and the Pomeroy Foundation. Although the Foundation covers the full cost of the marker, pole, and shipping, the recipient is responsible for installation. Applicants are urged to follow all local regulations regarding digging and placement, and to avoid high-traffic or inaccessible areas. For the 2025 calendar year, there are two grant cycles. Round 1 applications open on March 10, 2025, and are due by April 28, 2025, with awards distributed in August 2025. Round 2 opens August 25, 2025, with a deadline of October 13, 2025, and awards announced in January 2026. Based on recurring patterns and publicly posted dates, the 2026 cycle is expected to follow similar timing. Questions may be directed to Christy at info@wgpfoundation.org or by phone at 315-913-4060 during business hours.

Include high-quality documentation and follow style guide for inscriptions. Ensure land permission letter is clear.