Florida DHR Grants

Every year, the Florida Division of Historic Resources (DHR) awards small matching (up to $50,000) and special category (up to $500,000) grants to help state agencies, state universities, local governments and non-profit organizations with the preservation and protection of the state's historic and archaeological sites and properties. But how does a grant get made? Let's take a look at the program!

The first step is to apply! Eligible applicants include public entities such as counties or municipalities, school districts, state colleges or universities, agencies of state government, and non-profit organizations. Projects that could be funded through the Small Matching Grants program include:
  • surveys
  • planning projects like condition assessments or predictive modeling
  • preparation of National Register Nomination forms
  • education and publication projects
  • starting or re-starting Main Street programs
  • historical markers
  • special statewide projects that address historic preservation 
Projects that could be funded through the Special Category Grants program include:
  • development projects with the mission of preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of historic properties
  • archaeological research projects
  • permanent museum exhibits
  • acquisition projects for historic properties or archaeological sites

The submitted grant proposals are reviewed by DHR staff to ensure they meet the requirements and standards through the State's program. Then they are evaluated and ranked by the Florida Historical Commission on the basis of historic significance, endangerment, appropriateness of the preservation treatment proposed, administrative capability of the organization, adequacy of technical and financial resources, educational potential, economic benefits, and public good resulting from the project. The meeting is open to the public and applicants are invited to come to answer questions about their proposals.

But the journey isn't over yet! The ranked grant list is given to the State legislation, who ultimately decide which programs get funded. Each year, they make the decision of how much funding to appropriate to the grant program and the grants are funded in order of ranking.

FPAN Staff answering questions about their grant for HMS Florida.
This year, FPAN applied for a Special Category Grant to help secure more equipment and staff to supplement our Heritage Monitoring Scouts (HMS Florida) program. We're excited to announce we were ranked #7 on the list and eagerly anticipate next year's budgeting process to see if we will receive funding. Click here for the full list of this year's grant rankings. And stay tuned for updates!

Check out the DHR's website on the grant programs for more information.

Text and photos by Emily Jane Murray, FPAN staff, unless otherwise noted. Details for the grant program reproduced from the Division of Historic Resources website: https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/grants/.