Historic Preservation Grant

The Morris County Historic Preservation Grant is an annual funding opportunity designed to support the preservation of historic properties within Morris County, New Jersey. This program is administered by the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund, with the Historic Preservation Program Coordinator overseeing implementation. The 2026 round introduces several changes to the application process and program rules, reflecting updates approved by the County Commissioners in January 2025 and subsequent legal developments. The grant program is intended to assist municipalities, the county, and qualified charitable conservancies in their efforts to preserve and maintain historic structures. Projects may range from the preparation of preservation planning documents to the execution of construction activities for historic buildings. The 2026 funding round includes provisions for religious institutions to apply, provided they meet specific requirements, including qualification as a charitable conservancy under IRS rules and having a mission that includes historic preservation. Notably, a previous state-level restriction on religious institutions receiving taxpayer-funded grants was overridden by a successful federal lawsuit, making such entities eligible once again. For the 2026 cycle, all application materials—including the Declaration of Intent and final submissions—must be completed through a new online program portal. A virtual training session on portal usage is scheduled for February 4, 2026. Applicants are also encouraged to attend a Grant Application Workshop on January 28, 2026, which will provide essential guidance on completing the application and understanding program requirements. In addition, applicants must submit a 10-minute video if they have not previously done so; this video may be featured in the county’s HP Program StoryMap if the application is approved. Deadlines are strictly enforced. The Declaration of Intent is due by February 27, 2026, and the final grant application must be submitted via the portal no later than March 27, 2026, at 4:30 PM. For projects that received prior funding for planning or construction documents, there are additional interim deadlines: 75% completion of documents must be submitted by January 7, 2026, and 100% completion by February 27, 2026. Failure to meet these deadlines will render the project ineligible for 2026 funding. The application process requires selecting the appropriate grant type—Preservation Planning, Construction Documents, or Construction—based on the nature of the proposed project. Applicants must also digitally submit any unreviewed Preservation Plans or Construction Documents by March 27, 2026, for preliminary review. These materials should be sent both to the Morris County office and the designated County Consultant, whose contact information can be obtained from the Program Coordinator. For further assistance, applicants may contact Ray Chang, the Historic Preservation Program Coordinator, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 973-829-8138. The County remains committed to supporting the stewardship of historic resources and ensuring a transparent, fair, and accessible grant process for all eligible entities.