Keweenaw Heritage Grants Program

The Keweenaw Heritage Grants Program for Fiscal Year 2026 is administered by the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission. The Commission serves as a support body for the Keweenaw National Historical Park (NHP), a unit of the National Park Service dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of copper mining on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. This grant opportunity reflects the park's broader mission to support preservation, interpretation, and education activities tied to the rich cultural and industrial legacy of the region. Through this program, the Commission continues to invest in projects that help tell the copper story and strengthen public engagement with this distinctive heritage. This grant opportunity is available to a select group of entities that have a strong connection to the Keweenaw Peninsula. Eligible applicants include designated Keweenaw Heritage Sites, non-profit organizations, local and regional governments, academic institutions, and federally recognized Indian tribes. To qualify, applicants must propose projects located within the boundaries of Keweenaw National Historical Park, be affiliated with a recognized Keweenaw Heritage Site, or be situated at historically significant locations including the Cliff Mine, Torch Lake, or the community of Painesdale. Previous grant recipients must have submitted their final reports to be considered eligible for this round of funding. The 2026 Keweenaw Heritage Grant supports a wide array of project types, including historic preservation, education, interpretation, museum collections care, and organizational sustainability. Examples of eligible activities range from building stabilization, façade improvements, and landscape preservation to oral history collection, interpretive exhibit development, publication creation, and volunteer development. Proposed projects must demonstrate relevance to the park's core mission and the broader narrative of copper mining on the peninsula. Historic property-related projects must also adhere to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Financially, grant requests must fall between $1,000 and $15,000, with a total program fund of at least $115,000 anticipated for disbursement. A mandatory 1:1 match is required, which may be entirely in-kind. Volunteer contributions may be valued at a rate of $25 per hour. However, grant funds cannot be used for direct or overhead expenses, and indirect expenses are capped at 10% of the total project cost. Each applicant may submit up to two proposals but must prioritize them, with preference given to the top-priority application from a Keweenaw Heritage Site. The application process includes a consultation requirement with National Park Service (NPS) staff, although applicants may request a waiver from the Advisory Commission under certain constraints. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, April 3, 2026, by 5:00 PM, either in person or by mail to the park headquarters in Calumet, Michigan. All applications will be evaluated by a review panel consisting of NPS staff and Advisory Commission members. Selection will consider the quality of the proposal, available funding, and the geographic and thematic balance of award distribution. Successful applicants will be notified of their award on or before Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Funds are expected to be distributed by June 5, 2026. All funded projects must be completed no later than December 31, 2027, with final reports submitted by February 4, 2028. For questions or consultation requests, applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Sean Gohman, Executive Director of the Advisory Commission, by phone at 906-483-3040.