The Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant Program is administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs under the Department of Parks and Recreation. This program is designed to support local nonprofit organizations, individual artists, and scholars who enrich community life through arts, history, and educational initiatives. The HEART Grant fosters civic and cultural engagement across Union County, New Jersey, by funding programs that preserve local heritage and promote creative expression.
Eligible applicants include Union County-based nonprofit organizations and individual residents engaged in cultural programming. Funded projects must take place within Union County and benefit Union County residents. The eligible activity window runs from January 1 through December 31, 2026. Organizations can apply for up to $2,500. A 25 percent cash match is required for any organizational request above $1,000. Individual artists and scholars may apply for up to $1,000 without a matching requirement.
Previous HEART Grant recipients have included poets, writers, historians, painters, photographers, musicians, dancers, and civic organizations, all contributing to a vibrant cultural scene within the county. The grant aims to emphasize the essential role of cultural assets in quality of life, education, community identity, and economic development, including cultural heritage tourism.
Applications for first-time applicants must be submitted by October 23, 2025. The full application deadline for all applicants is October 30, 2025. All applications must be completed online through the designated grant portal. Paper applications are not accepted.
For additional information, interested parties can contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs located at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. The office can be reached by phone at (908) 558-2550 or by email at culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ Relay users may dial 711 for assistance.
Focus on impact within Union County and alignment with cultural heritage and educational objectives.
