The Virginia Department of Historic Resources received $20,000,000 in the 2024-2026 Virginia Biennial Budget to initiate a grant program to support improvements at significant historic sites and history museums in Virginia in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence (also known as the nation’s semiquincentennial).
Eligibility is not limited to properties related to the American Revolution. Any historic site or museum that meets all the requirements is eligible to apply.
The preapplication is now closed and on September 16th, 2024 all preapplicants were informed about if they were invited to submit a Full Application.
The grant guidelines document is linked here. Please read through it thoroughly before filling out a preapplication.
The first step in the application process is the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund Preapplication. The form will help determine if the project meets minimum eligibility requirements as set out in the budget and grant guidelines. The Preapplication is now closed.
The full application will open to applicants notified that they have an eligible preapplication on September 16th, 2024. This application will be completed on DHR’s WebGrants page.
Virginia 250 Preservation Fund grants may be awarded to state or federally recognized Indian tribes, non-profit organizations registered as tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Code (must provide proof of valid, current tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code), and Virginia localities (§ 1-221.).
All applicants must be the owner of the project property or be able to submit a signed letter of support from the property owner and a copy of the recorded deed.
A minimum one-third match (one-third match against the requested grant amount—if $750k is requested, grantee must match at $250k for a total grant project of $1 million) is a requirement of this grant program. Projects with a cash match will be prioritized, but in-kind match will also be accepted. In-kind match is not to include current staff time, costs associated with managing the grant or already completed work.
Grant funds are restricted to the following project types, all of which fall under the umbrella of capital improvements that support increased visitation due to the semiquincentennial:
Please see grant guidelines for additional information.
Ineligible use of funds includes but is not limited to:
"Out of the amounts in this item, $20,000,000 the first year from the general fund is provided to establish a competitive grant program to support improvements at significant historic sites and history museums in Virginia in anticipation of the country's Semiquincentennial. The department shall develop guidelines and establish procedures for awarding this funding, which shall include eligibility criteria for applicants, a minimum one-third match from grantees, and any other criteria the department determines reasonable to carry out the provisions of this paragraph. Of the amount authorized, the department is authorized to recover costs incurred in administering this program. Any balances for the purposes specified in this paragraph which are unexpended on June 30, 2025, shall not revert to the general fund but shall be carried forward and reappropriated."
Caitlin Sylvester, Grant Coordinator
Virginia Department of Historic Resources
2801 Kensington Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23221
804-482-6461
Programs
DHR has secured permanent legal protection for over 700 historic places - including 15,000 acres of battlefield lands
DHR has erected 2,532 highway markers in every county and city across Virginia
DHR has registered more than 3,317 individual resources and 613 historic districts
DHR has engaged over 450 students in 3 highway marker contests
DHR has stimulated more than $4.2 billion dollars in private investments related to historic tax credit incentives, revitalizing communities of all sizes throughout Virginia
