The Local Preservation Partners Grant, administered by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) within the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, provides matching grants to strengthen historic preservation work across the state. This program supports nonprofit organizations in Connecticut whose missions or activities align with the goals of the statewide historic preservation plan. Grants are awarded to promote preservation through public education, planning, and coalition building.
Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 and must be matched dollar-for-dollar with cash funds from private, municipal, or federal sources. In-kind or volunteer contributions are not eligible as match. The program accepts applications on a rolling basis during the fiscal year, with awards made as long as funds are available.
Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits incorporated in Connecticut with at least two years of tax-exempt status, a regularly convening board, and current bylaws. Organizations do not need to have historic preservation explicitly stated in their mission if their proposed activities align with SHPO’s goals. Two types of projects are funded: Category I, which supports educational and outreach projects like walking tours or workshops; and Category II, which supports development of a formal, community-based Local Preservation Plan with measurable actions and timelines.
Salaries and administrative costs are eligible if directly tied to project execution. All grant-funded work must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and be reviewed in collaboration with SHPO. Reimbursement is quarterly, based on submitted receipts and progress reports. A final report is required within 30 days of completion.
Organizations are evaluated based on project feasibility, alignment with state preservation goals, and measurable public benefit. Required materials include a project narrative, budget, strategic plan (as applicable), ADA and Affirmative Action compliance documentation, and a demographics table for board and staff.
For assistance, applicants should contact Mary Dunne at Mary.Dunne@ct.gov or (860) 500-2356. Full guidelines, required forms, and submission instructions can be found in the program PDF on the SHPO website.
Align goals with SHPO's Statewide Plan; provide clear metrics and deliverables; use Appendix A for preservation goal crosswalk; propose fair wages for staff per Connecticut living wage standards; collaborate with SHPO during implementation.
