Montana Historic Preservation Grant

The Montana Historic Preservation Grant Program is a state-funded initiative administered by the Montana Department of Commerce through its Community MT Division. Established in 2019 via Senate Bill 338, this program supports the preservation of Montana’s historic sites, history museums, and historical societies. The program’s mission is rooted in enhancing statewide tourism, revitalizing communities, and encouraging economic development through historic preservation. Funding is derived from taxes allocated to the Historic Preservation Grant Account under § 15-68-820 and awarded upon legislative approval according to § 22-3-1306, MCA. Grants are available to a broad spectrum of public and private applicants, including individuals (through fiscal agents or in coordination with a local government), for-profit and nonprofit organizations, incorporated cities and counties, consolidated governments, tribal governments (with a waiver of sovereign immunity), and representatives of governing units such as school districts and libraries. All applicants must demonstrate the managerial and fiscal capacity to oversee the grant and complete the project. Eligible projects must focus on the preservation of historic structures that meet specific criteria: inclusion on a national, state, or local historic registry; contribution to a historic district; or being at least 50 years old with documented significance to a Montana community or region. Preservation activities may include internal or external building improvements such as infrastructure repairs, renovations, maintenance, building code compliance, or enhancements to security, climate control, and fire protection systems. For projects exceeding $50,000 in total cost, up to 10% of the grant funds may be used for planning and administration related to the core preservation work. Applicants may request up to $500,000 per eligible project. A 20% match of the total project cost is required. The match may come from cash, grants, loans, or in-kind contributions, with a maximum of one-third of the match being in-kind. Expenditures made prior to February 28, 2025, are not eligible as matching funds. Applications are reviewed and scored against statutory criteria, including economic impact, shovel readiness, historical value, organizational capacity, local contributions, and public benefit. The next application cycle opens in fall 2025, with applications due by February 29, 2026. Awards will be announced following legislative approval, with funds available after July 1, 2027. Applications must be submitted electronically via Montana’s Grants and Loans portal or physically to the Department of Commerce. Required components include the eligibility checklist, application forms, environmental review, project budget, implementation schedule, and supporting documentation. The Montana Department of Commerce will review submissions in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office and the Tourism Advisory Council before submitting recommendations to the legislature. Applicants are encouraged to testify during the legislative session to advocate for their projects.

Strong emphasis on public benefit, shovel-readiness, and local contributions. Applicants are encouraged to include letters of support and realistic budgets and schedules.