African American Heritage Grant - Capital Grants

The African American Heritage Grant Capital Grants program is administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through its Division for Historic Preservation, in partnership with the New York State Commission on African American History and the New York State Department of State. The program is funded through a New York State legislative appropriation to support and promote a greater understanding of the history and achievements of African Americans and people of African descent throughout New York State. The Capital Grants category focuses specifically on physical preservation and improvement projects that safeguard places associated with African American history. Capital Grants support pre-development planning and design, construction activities, or a combination of both for existing buildings, structures, monuments, and sites. Subject properties are not required to be formally designated as historic resources. However, either the property itself or the applying organization must have a mission that promotes the contributions and history of African Americans in New York State. Projects that combine pre-development planning and construction must limit pre-development costs to no more than 15 percent of the total grant request. This ensures that the majority of funding is directed toward tangible preservation or improvement outcomes. Eligible capital projects include conservation, restoration, rehabilitation, stabilization, and preservation of existing facilities and monuments. Accessibility upgrades and new construction that enhances public use are also eligible. Historic cemetery preservation projects are supported and may include cleaning, repair, resetting, and conservation of gravestones, monuments, walls, steps, structures, and other above-ground features associated with African American burial sites. Pre-development activities such as feasibility studies, property condition assessments with cost analyses, architectural and engineering plans, ADA accessibility planning, landscape conservation plans, site designs, and archaeological investigations necessary for construction are also eligible uses of funds. Preference is given to projects involving properties threatened by adverse circumstances that jeopardize their long-term survival, as well as publicly accessible properties that provide educational and programming benefits related to African American history. While properties are not required to be more than 50 years old or formally designated as historic, any work involving National Register-listed, National Register-eligible, or National Historic Landmark properties must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Capital awards to National Register-listed properties will require the establishment of a preservation covenant recorded against the property deed, which binds current and future owners. Faith-based organizations are eligible for capital funding, provided that the improved space is open to the public and serves a dual purpose beyond religious worship. For example, rehabilitation of a sanctuary space is allowable if it also functions as a community meeting or educational space. Applicants must either own the property or demonstrate a long-term lease agreement with owner consent for the proposed work. The Capital Grants category has a total funding allocation of $1 million, with individual awards ranging from $30,000 to $200,000. Matching funds are welcome but not required. Interested applicants must complete a required pre-application questionnaire to determine eligibility before receiving access to full application materials. For further information, applicants may contact [email protected] or call (518) 237-8643.

Prioritize projects involving threatened properties and publicly accessible sites that provide educational programming related to African American history.