African American Heritage Preservation Program 2026

The African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP) is a state-funded initiative established in 2010 by the Maryland General Assembly to support the identification, acquisition, construction, and preservation of buildings, sites, and communities significant to the African American experience in Maryland. The program is jointly administered by the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) and the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), each operating under state entities—the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives and the Maryland Department of Planning, respectively. The MCAAHC focuses on documenting, preserving, and promoting African American heritage, while the MHT works broadly on historic preservation and education throughout Maryland. The AAHPP offers competitive grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 to eligible applicants for capital projects such as rehabilitation, acquisition, new construction, and associated pre-development activities. All funded work must have an expected useful life of at least 15 years and must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Ineligible uses of funds include non-capital expenses such as staff salaries, landscaping unrelated to the project scope, legal fees, and other administrative overhead. Grant funds cannot be used retroactively for work already begun or completed, and all contractors must be procured through an MHT-approved competitive process. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, local governments, business entities, and individuals. While federal and state agencies may apply as nonprofits, projects involving properties owned by these entities are not eligible due to the requirement to convey a preservation easement. The proposed project must have demonstrable public benefit, especially for private or for-profit applicants, and must align with the missions of MCAAHC and MHT. Special considerations apply to religious properties and cemeteries, and applicants are encouraged to contact staff to confirm eligibility before applying. Applications must be submitted online by June 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. via the MHT grants portal. New user accounts must be created for FY2026 applicants. The application includes several required sections across different tabs, such as applicant information, project description and scope, budget, public benefit, property significance, property information, and project management capabilities. At least two letters of support are required, including one from a local elected official. A signed letter of property owner consent is also mandatory, with specific language outlined in the application guidelines. Additional attachments such as photographs and architectural reports may strengthen applications. The review process begins in July 2025 and includes eligibility screening, scoring, and recommendation by the MCAAHC, followed by final approval from the MHT Board of Trustees and the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning. Awards will be announced by November or December 2025, with grant agreements finalized by early 2026. Projects are expected to begin by October 2026 and conclude by January 2027. If extensions are needed, they must be formally requested before the end of the grant period. Applicants can access sample applications, budget templates, and a scoring rubric via the AAHPP webpage. For project planning assistance, applicants may contact Chanel Compton-Johnson (chanel.compton@maryland.gov, 410-216-6190). For technical and budget-related inquiries, applicants can reach Stacy Montgomery (stacy.montgomery@maryland.gov, 410-697-9559) or Taylor Means (taylor.means@maryland.gov, 443-510-0882).

Review the FY26 scoring rubric and contact staff before applying. Ensure SDAT records are accurate and submit all required forms using the correct templates.