Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance Community Grants

The Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance (MHHAA) administers a Community Grants Program that supports the preservation, enhancement, interpretation, and promotion of cultural and heritage resources in the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area (MHNHA). This region, designated by Congress in 2009, encompasses 19 full counties and portions of 11 others in Northeast Mississippi. The MHHAA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, serves as the local coordinating entity and administers federal funds for this grant program through a partnership with the National Park Service. These grants are a key mechanism for supporting innovative local projects aligned with the MHNHA Management Plan, which guides the cultural, educational, and economic development efforts in the area. The purpose of the grant program is to strategically invest in heritage sites, programs, and initiatives that connect communities and enhance the visibility of the region's cultural identity. Funded projects must align with at least one of the program’s core objectives: education and interpretation, cultural and heritage tourism, heritage resource conservation, and partnership development. Projects that intersect multiple themes or reflect the area's primary interpretive themes—African American heritage, Native American heritage, the Civil War, and Music & Literature—are prioritized. Allowable expenses include site improvements, interpretation, events, and collateral development. However, the grant does not cover costs like food, general overhead, real estate acquisition, or salaries. Four distinct grant categories are available: Education Grants (up to $1,000 per trip), Flash Grants ($1,000 to $2,500), Small Grants ($2,500 to $5,000), and Large Grants ($5,000 to $20,000). Education, Flash, and Small Grants are open to all qualified applicants within MHNHA, while Large Grants are exclusive to dues-paying members in good standing. All grants require a 1:1 match in cash or in-kind contributions, and matching funds must originate from non-federal sources. The disbursement of funds occurs after the submission of a project completion form, expense documentation, and confirmation of the matching contribution. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, school groups, cultural and heritage event organizers, museums, federally recognized tribes, attractions, and partnerships within MHNHA. Projects must be completed within one year (two years for Large Grants), and interim reports are required for longer projects. All grant recipients are expected to comply with applicable federal and state laws, including those related to accessibility, historic preservation, and civil rights. Applications for the FY26 cycle open in January 2026 and must be submitted by January 31, 2026. The Grants Committee will review submissions in February 2026, and award notifications will be issued in March 2026. While Education Grants are accepted year-round with a six-week review period, all other categories share the fixed January deadline. Completed applications must be emailed to [email protected] by 4:00 p.m. Central Time or delivered physically with required copies. All required documents must be included; incomplete submissions will not be considered. Contact for questions or application support is available via email at [email protected]. Applicants are encouraged to consult the MHNHA Management Plan and to ensure their projects reflect the SMART goal framework and the mission of MHHAA. The grant program avoids conflicts of interest by requiring committee members to recuse themselves from decisions where personal or professional ties exist.

Highlight primary themes (African American heritage, Civil War, Native American heritage, Music & Literature); exceed match; use SMART goals; show collaboration.