Certified Local Government Grant

The Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant is administered by the Oregon Heritage division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and funded through a federal apportionment from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. This grant supports Certified Local Governments—local entities that have been formally recognized for meeting national preservation standards—in their efforts to promote historic preservation. Only jurisdictions that are currently certified and in good standing may apply. This non-competitive grant program provides funding for a wide range of preservation activities that comply with federal standards and state guidelines. The primary objectives of the CLG Grant are to advance the documentation, designation, preservation, and rehabilitation of historic properties and archaeological sites. Eligible project types include surveys of historic resources, designation of historic landmarks, pre-development planning such as feasibility studies and preservation plans, rehabilitation of National Register-listed properties, preservation planning, design review, and compliance activities. Additional eligible uses include public education initiatives like walking tours, digital exhibits, and lectures focused on historic preservation, although signage and interpretive panels are explicitly excluded. Professional development and resource access, such as conference attendance or membership in preservation organizations, are also eligible. Funding is structured with a ceiling of $16,000 per applicant, with final awards potentially adjusted depending on the number and size of requests. A 1:1 matching requirement applies to cities with populations of 5,000 or more and counties with populations of 10,000 or more. For smaller jurisdictions, there is no specific match requirement, but all applicants must track match contributions. Matches can include cash, in-kind donations, and volunteer hours, with professional volunteer services allowed at documented professional rates. To apply, eligible CLGs must access the application via the OPRD Grants Online system, available at oprdgrants.org. Registration may take up to three business days, and previously registered users can request access to the grant application from the program coordinator. A complete application includes detailed project and site descriptions, financials with categorized budget lines, a list of funding sources, and required attachments such as maps, reports, and owner commitment letters depending on the project type. Applications must be submitted online by February 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by April 1, 2026. Interim progress reports and reimbursement requests are due July 15, 2026, and December 31, 2026. For survey projects, first drafts are due February 1, 2027, with final drafts due May 31, 2027. The grant performance period ends June 30, 2027, and final reports are due by July 15, 2027. Funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis, contingent on timely submission of reports and documentation, and no extensions are permitted. Key evaluation criteria include the applicant’s capacity to complete the proposed work within the allotted time and budget, and eligibility under Historic Preservation Fund requirements. While the program is non-competitive, applications that fail to meet these criteria may be revised with staff assistance before a grant is awarded. Grantees are required to comply with federal and state regulations, maintain financial and project documentation for audit purposes, and acknowledge federal funding support in all published materials.

Contact coordinator early; submit drafts for feedback up to 2 weeks before deadline; ensure registration 3 days prior.