Institutional Support for Capacity Building Grant for Historic Preservation Nonprofits

The State Historic Preservation Office offers Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) grants to local nonprofit historic preservation groups in Connecticut. The grants aim to enhance the capacity of these organizations by providing support for staff, governing board functionality, diversification of funding sources, management, planning, fiscal capabilities, and educational and advocacy programs in historic preservation. Eligible applicants must have maintained tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) for at least two years and demonstrate alignment with Connecticut’s Statewide Historic Preservation Plan. Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000 per year based on organizational budget size, and recipients are required to match the state grant award on a 50/50 basis for a two-year period. Applicants are expected to submit a comprehensive application package including an application cover sheet, project abstract, narrative questions addressing specific goals and actions, organizational information, budget details with matching fund commitment, organizational readiness attachments such as strategic plan and audit report, and staff and board demographics. Applications will be reviewed based on the quality of initiative, impact on organizational capacity and local historic preservation efforts, as well as the ability to carry out the program. Completed applications should be sent to Mary Dunne at DECD-State Historic Preservation Office in Hartford or emailed to Mary.Dunne@ct.gov. Grant recipients are required to sign a grant contract within 30 days of receiving the award letter and must credit the “Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, State Historic Preservation Office” in all materials related to the funded project. Payments are made on a quarterly reimbursement basis following submission of a Request for Reimbursement with fiscal documentation. Grantees must also submit quarterly reports and a final report within 30 days of program completion. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in voiding eligibility for future funding from SHPO. The SHPO reserves the right to withhold or cancel grants if organizations fail to meet reporting obligations or demonstrate inadequate financial management or oversight. For further inquiries about the ISCB Grant Application