2025-2027 Oregon Heritage Grant

The Oregon Heritage Commission, part of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, administers the Oregon Heritage Grant program for the 2025–2027 biennium. The program reflects the department’s mission to provide equitable access to heritage resources and to support projects that strengthen the preservation, development, and interpretation of Oregon’s cultural heritage. The Commission prioritizes projects that conserve threatened heritage resources or those of statewide significance, with a focus on enhancing public access and understanding of the human experience in Oregon. Heritage, as defined by the Commission, encompasses artifacts, documents, publications, photographs, films, historic and prehistoric sites, cultural landscapes, cultural practices, festivals, music, stories, and other expressions of Oregon’s history. The Oregon Heritage Grant provides funding for a wide range of activities, including collections preservation and access, oral histories, exhibitions, education programs, films, performances, interpretive work, organizational archives, strategic planning, and other projects that strengthen heritage stewardship. While preservation of historic structures is recognized as important, the Commission notes that these projects are already supported by other state funds and therefore will not be given priority under this program. Projects that emphasize underrepresented or marginalized voices are considered especially competitive. Examples include the documentation of histories related to race, ethnicity, gender, and class that have historically been excluded from dominant narratives. The program awards grants ranging from $3,000 to $20,000, with a total pool of $380,000 available during this cycle. Grants are reimbursement-based and cover no more than 50 percent of total project costs, requiring applicants to provide at least an equal match. Matches can include volunteer services, in-kind donations, staff time, or cash contributions, with up to 50 percent of the match allowed from approved donated services or materials. Volunteer time is generally valued at Oregon’s minimum wage, unless professional expertise is being donated, in which case the individual’s standard professional rate may be applied. Indirect costs and administrative expenses are capped at 6 percent of the award amount. Applicants cannot use other Oregon Heritage Commission or Oregon Parks and Recreation Department funds to meet the match requirement. Eligibility for the Oregon Heritage Grant is limited to nonprofit organizations incorporated in Oregon with 501(c)(3) status, tribal governments recognized by both the state and federal governments and located in Oregon, universities or colleges within the state, and local governments in Oregon. Individuals, religious organizations, for-profit corporations, state agencies (other than state-supported universities and colleges), school districts, and federal agencies are not eligible to apply. Successful proposals are evaluated by a review committee, which considers the applicant’s ability to complete the project, the level of threat to the resource, the significance of the heritage resource, and the degree to which the project aligns with professional standards. Additional considerations include project readiness, clear work plans, geographic diversity, and inclusion of marginalized voices. The application process requires registration in the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s Grants Online system, which can take up to three business days to complete. Applicants must submit their full applications by October 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Applications will be reviewed for technical completeness before being evaluated by the review committee in a public meeting. Final funding decisions are made by the Oregon Heritage Commission at a subsequent public meeting. Notifications of award decisions will be made in late November 2025. Funded projects may begin after December 1, 2025, once agreements are fully executed and work plans are approved. All projects must be completed and final reports submitted no later than April 30, 2027. Grant management requires awardees to comply with state requirements for use of public funds. Projects must adhere to approved work plans, and reimbursement is only made upon submission of required progress reports, documentation, and invoices. Interim reports are required by July 10, 2026, and December 31, 2026, with a final report due within 30 days of project completion or by the April 30, 2027 deadline. Projects must also acknowledge state support in all publicity, exhibits, or published materials, and awardees are encouraged to engage their communities through outreach, events, or social media updates. In some cases, a site visit may be required for project monitoring or reporting verification. The grant program contact is Kuri Gill, who serves as the primary coordinator. Applicants can seek assistance from her for questions, translation, accessibility support, or system troubleshooting. She can be reached at kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov or by phone at 503-986-0685. Applicants are encouraged to consult Oregon Heritage resources such as MentorCorps, Heritage Bulletins, and project checklists while preparing their applications. These resources are intended to strengthen project proposals by ensuring alignment with best practices and professional standards.

Use Heritage Bulletins, MentorCorps, and checklists; consult grant coordinator for early feedback; emphasize marginalized voices and geographic diversity