Legends & Lore® Marker Grant Program

The Legends & Lore® Marker Grant Program is a cultural heritage initiative funded and administered by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. This private philanthropic foundation is dedicated to preserving history and promoting cultural tourism throughout the United States. The Legends & Lore® program specifically aims to recognize, celebrate, and promote local folklore and legends by funding the installation of roadside markers that commemorate these stories within their respective communities. Folklore, as defined by the foundation, includes a broad range of cultural expressions such as oral traditions, legends, folktales, music, skills, crafts, and community traditions. To be eligible for a marker, the subject must be well-known within a broader community, passed down over time, and align with the foundation’s categories of folktale, legend, or folklife. Examples of qualifying subjects include fictional tales like the Headless Horseman, legendary figures such as Natty Bumppo, or verified individuals and customs like Dennis McGee or regional traditions such as “Goose Day.” The program explicitly excludes purely historical events, personal or family folklore not known to the wider community, and purely literary creations. The grant is available to eligible organizations including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, academic institutions, and government entities at all levels within the United States, although the program is currently limited to 15 states: Alabama, Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. While individuals cannot apply directly, they may collaborate with eligible organizations who can apply on their behalf. Grant recipients receive full funding for the marker, including the cost of manufacturing, the 7-foot pole, and shipping. They are, however, responsible for marker installation, which must adhere to safety and visibility guidelines provided by the Foundation. Applications are submitted online and must include the applicant’s contact details, GPS-coordinated marker installation location, a brief description and historical significance of the legend or folklore, a proposed marker inscription, a letter of permission from the landowner for installation, and supporting documentation to validate the proposed story. While primary sources are not required, applicants must provide documentation such as newspaper articles, local histories, oral histories, or other community-validated sources that confirm the subject's cultural relevance and longevity. Applications without supporting documentation will not be considered. The Foundation sets two application windows each year. For 2026, the first round opens on March 9 and closes on April 27, while the second round runs from August 24 through October 12. Evaluation of submissions may take up to three months, and applicants will be contacted via email regarding their status. Upon approval, recipients will receive a Letter of Agreement and payment to order the marker, along with detailed installation instructions. All inscriptions are reviewed for clarity, accuracy, and appropriateness for public display, and must meet specific formatting criteria regarding character limits and accessibility. Prospective applicants are encouraged to read through the provided guidelines, accepted source criteria, and marker inscription requirements before applying. Questions can be directed to Christy at [email protected] or by phone at 315-913-4060 during business hours. As the program expands, the Foundation also seeks partnerships with folklore organizations, academic institutions, and state agencies to support application evaluations and outreach within additional states.

Follow subject criteria closely; avoid non-folkloric or personal-only stories; provide valid documentation or risk rejection