HCWHA Mini-Grants
About the Program
The Mini-Grant round is now closed and will reopen in June of 2023.
Mini-Grants
Mini-grants assist heritage sites, non-profit organizations and government units within the heritage area to develop new and innovative programs, exhibits, tours, events and other initiatives, and to enhance existing heritage tourism products. These non-capital matching grant awards range from $500 to $5,000.
Non-profits and local governments proposing projects to occur within the borders of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (portions of Carroll, Frederick and Washington Counties) are eligible to apply. Grant applications must explicitly further the goals and priorities stated in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area Management Plan and the new Strategic Plan.
Download the mini-grant guidelines here.
Applying for the Current Grant Round
Applications are due October 31, 2022 by 5 PM -- Access the FY23 Mini-Grant Application Form
Grant notifications will be sent before the end of the end of December, 2022.
View the FY23 recorded mini-grant webinar.
View the presentation powerpoint slides.
The recorded webinar covers both the mini-grant program and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority's project grant program.
MHAA Project grants fund non-capital projects up to $50,000 and capital projects up to $100,000. All Heritage Area grant programs, including the mini-grants, require matching funds, which can be made up of cash and in-kind support. The webinar includes information about both grant programs, including important deadlines, how to apply, application requirements, and the parameters of both grant programs to help potential applicants determine which program best fits their own project.
Resources from previous years for grant seekers:
Previous Grant Rounds
FY23 Awardees
- The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society: $5,000 for the creation of a virtual reconstruction of the Ironmaster's Mansion.
- The Union Mills Homestead Foundation: $4,602 to digitize historical resources from the Union Mills Homestead's collections.
- The Maryland Ensemble Theatre: $4,000 to market South & Saints, a production highlighting African American history in Frederick County.
- The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts: $4,000 to support "Treasures of State: Maryalnd's Art Collection" exhibit and related educational programs.
- Friends of Baker Park: $4,000 for the creation and installation of three interpretive panels at Culler Lake in Frederick's Baker Park.
- National Road Heritage Museum: $2,500 for the creation of high-resolution maps of the Historic Natioanl Road Scenic Byway and creation of exhibit panels in the Boonsboro Trolley Station Museum.
- Carroll County Farm Museum: $1,822 for the acquisition of life size fiberglass farm animals in the Historic Hoff Barn interactive display.
- City of Frederick - Planning Division: $720 for a historic marker that will demonstrate the history and significance of the Salamander Rock Fire Lookout.
FY22 awardees
- The Catoctin Furnace Historical Society: $5,000 for clear acrylic panel "reconstruction" of the ironmaster's mansion and enslaved workers' housing.
- National Museum of Civil War Medicine: $5,000 for the shipment and restoration of a reproduction Civil War ambulance.
- Town of Emmitsburg: $3,547 for an interpretive panel for the 1878 Saint Euphemia's School.
- C&O Canal Trust: $853 for the printing of Trail to History brochures.
- Washington County Museum of Fine Arts: $5,000 for "Color in Freedom, Joseph Holston: Journey Along the Underground Railroad" and related programming.
- Main Street Middletown: $1,600 to fund research into Middletown's historic Jefferson Street and the creation of tour materials.
- Mount Olivet Cemetery Preservation & Enhancement Fund: $1,750 for the creation of an interpretive marker highlight Jacob Engelbrecht.
- Save Historic Antietam Foundation: $2,250 for the cost of an appraisal.
FY21 awardees
- Washington County Museum of Fine Arts: $4,000 for the "Joshua Johnson: Portraitist of Early American Baltimore" exhibition and related educational programs, lectures, music, and gallery talks.
- Keedysville Historical Society: $4,000 for the display of the 1873 Pry Family Friendship Quilt.
- Catoctin Furnace Historical Society: $4,000 for exhibits for the Museum of the Ironworker.
- Washington County Historical Society: $3,023.50 for the Miller House Museum exhibit.
- Union Mills Homestead Foundation: $4,000 for archaeological investigation of the Shriver Tannery.
- Preservation Maryland: $2,500 to raise awareness of the historical significance of the Jonathan Street neighborhood in Hagerstown.
- National Museum of Civil War Medicine: $2,273 for operating support (COVID-19 emergency funds)
- Historical Society of Carroll County: $2,273 for operating support (COVID-19 emergency funds)
FY20 awardees
- Keedysville Historical Society: $3,778 for the conservation of the 1873 Pry Family Friendship Quilt.
- Historical Society of Carroll County: $4,487 for the development and implementation of two walking tours of Westminster, MD, accessible by smart phones.
- Catoctin Furnace Historical Society: $3,864 for the purchase of historically accurate clothing, shoes, and accessories for living history programming.
- Washington County Museum of Fine Arts: $2,575 for the "Joshua Johnson: Portraitist of Early American Baltimore" exhibition and related educational programs, lectures, music, and gallery talks.
- NPS/Monocacy National Battlefield: $2,625 for an author panel presentation to explore the contentious connection between the 15th and 19th amendments to the U.S. Consitution.
- C&O Canal Trust: $1,800 to update, print, and distribute "Trail to History" brochures, interpreting the history of 3-4 towns on the C&O Canal.
- The City of Frederick's 275th Anniversary: $2,324 to plan and promote commemorative activities during the city's anniversary year.
- Battle of Falling Waters 1863 Foundation: $1,300 to research, develop, design, and fabricate an interpretive panel for the July 14, 1863 Falling Waters (MD) Battlefield.
FY19 awardees
- City of Hagerstown: $5,000 for the relocation and public display of the Revolutionary War-era Mt. Aetna Cannon.
- Union Mills Homestead Foundation: $4,275 for the development and implementation of a new website.
- The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton: $3,800 for the enhancement of the Civil War Sisters exhibit on display at the Seton Shrine.
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Association: $2,800 for the 2021 World Canals Conference website and venue rental.
- Catoctin Furnace Historical Society: $2,500 for a blacksmithing kit to be kept on-site for living history demonstrations by CFHS's volunteer blacksmiths.
- Washington County Historical Society: $2,500 for an educational program focused on women's suffrage.
- National Museum of Civil War Medicine: $2,269 for the Pry House Field Hospital's medicinal garden on Antietam National Battlefield.
- Frederick County Landmarks Foundation: $1,856 to update its brochure to reflect the properites owned and managed by FCLF.
FY18 awardees
- Battle of Falling Waters 1863 Foundation: $2,500 for development of the site plan for the Falling Waters 1863 Battlefield parking and interpretive site.
- Heritage Frederick: $2,500 for an exhibit, workshops, a catalog, and searchable index related to the Mason-Dixon Line.
- Main Street Middletown: $2,500 to convert the Heritage Tours brochure into a GIS-generated Story Map
- Thomas Kennedy Center: $1,500 for a website to promote the legacy of Thomas Kennedy and the Thomas Kennedy Center.
- Downtown Sykesville Connection: $1,600 for a Sykesville introductory magazine including historical landmarks and a walking map
- Historic Rocky Springs Chapel and Schoolhouse: $845 for a Civil War Trails (CWT) Interpretive Sign
FY17 awardees
- C&O Canal Trust: $928 for a brochure to encourage visits to the historic Canal Towns and C&O Canal NHP
- City of Hagerstown: $500 for a brochure on Hagerstown's role in World War I
- City of Westminster: $1,425 for a brochure highlighting Carroll County's railroad history
- Community Fund of Carroll County - Corbit's Charge Anniversary Committee: $1,267 for Corbit's Charge commemorations
- Francis Scott Key Memorial Foundation: $1,500 for interpretive wayside panel on Barbara Fritchie at Mount Olivet Cemetery
- Historical Society of Frederick County: $1,280 for Hands on History program cards for children
- The Tourism Council of Frederick County: $1,500 for Maryland's Heart of the Civil War DVDs and accompanying programs
- Washington County Historical Society: $1,100 for evaluating interpretation at Miller House Museum
- Weinberg Center for the Arts: $500 for rack card promoting 90th anniversary
FY16 awardees
- Emmitsburg Lions Club: Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day Art Contest – $1,000
- Main Street Middletown: Local Historic Marker Program and Subsequent Walking/Driving Tour: Revealing Middletown's History -- 250th Commemoration of our Town's Founding - $1,000
- National Museum of Civil War Medicine: Downtown Frederick Historic Hospital Sites of the Civil War Walking Tour - $2,500
- Rose Hill Cemetery of Hagerstown, Inc.: Hagerstown/Rose Hill Cemetery Walking Tour Map Update – $1,347
- Sykesville Main Street Association: Main Street Heritage Experience - $2,500
- Thurmont Main Street: Civil War Trail Marker - $1,300
FY15 awardees
- Battle of Falling Waters, 1863, Foundation, Inc.: Brochure for Battle of Falling Waters, 1863 – $2,000
- Emmitsburg Lions Club: 33rd annual Emmitsburg Community Heritage Days – $500
- Frederick Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution: Stamp Act repudiation wayside marker - $1,500
- Friends of Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks: Iron Master's House ruins interpretive signage and Catoctin Furnace arts festival - $1,000
- Maryland Park Service: Historic house a Washington Monument research and preservation – $2,500
- New Windsor Heritage Committee, Inc.: reprint of New Windsor walking tour brochure - $500
- Western Maryland Interpretive Association: Battlefield Tour Guide program rack card - $1,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of projects are eligible for mini-grant funding?
Mini-grants cannot fund capital (bricks and mortar) projects or administrative expenses, but can go towards a wide variety of projects that enhance the visitor experience in the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. These include developing and implementing heritage tours, maps and interpretive brochures, public programs and activities, exhibits, events, websites and apps, marketing, and educational seminars and conferences that encourage or enhance preservation, revitalization, and interpretation of the area’s heritage resources.
Does my project have to relate to the Civil War?
Although projects related to the Civil War history in this area are always encouraged, organizations may apply to receive funding for projects that enhance the visitor experience to the designated heritage area in other ways. Applicants may also consider making a connection to the Civil War even if that is not the primary purpose of the organization or project. The most important factor is making a persuasive connection to the Management Plan, including citing specific chapters.
What should I include in my budget?
Include as much detail as possible in your budget. Rather than just indicating a line item like “brochure,” break out the various costs that go into developing a brochure: research, design, editing, printing, distribution, etc. Indicate how you determined the costs for this project, such as asking vendors for an estimate or using figures from another recent project.
What do I need to know about the cash match?
Matching funds means financial support derived independently by the grantee to supplement the grant. The grant award must be matched $1: $1 with at least 75% cash and no more than 25% in-kind matching funds. “In-kind” refers to donations of services or goods that the grantee would have to pay for otherwise. State funds cannot be used for the match. Staff salaries eligible as match only, for that portion of a staff person’s time dedicated solely to an MHAA grant-funded project (not to exceed 35% of total required project match). Contingent sources (such as another grant that is pending based on the HCWHA decision) are acceptable.
Is signage eligible for mini-grant funding?
Although wayfinding signs fall under the designation of capital projects, which are not eligible, interpretive signs—which explain the history and significance of a site—are suitable for mini-grant funding. All interpretive signage must adhere to NPS or Civil War Trails standards for design.
Can my project run longer than one year?
If there is a certain reason that your project will extend beyond the standard one-year (January 2019-January 2020) grant period, such as a historical anniversary, be sure to include that in the narrative. If circumstances cause changes to the approved timeline, contact us to discuss an extension.
What about projects that live beyond the grant period?
If you are planning a project that is designed to live beyond the close of the grant period, such as a website that will stay online indefinitely, be sure to indicate how the project will be maintained. Sustainability is a priority, so applicants should create a detailed plan for keeping the product up-to-date and in good condition with the appropriate level of funding and staff/volunteer time.
What if my project isn’t fully funded?
Bear in mind that the mini-grants are competitive and only a limited amount of funds ($25,000 annually) are available. The application requires you to state how you plan to continue your planned project if your application is partially funded.
If my application is funded, what are the next steps?
You will receive a grant agreement, including terms/requirements, and a letter which you should sign and return. Be sure to include the HCWHA/MHAA logos on all publicity materials related to the project. Once your project is complete, submit a final report and copies of any product resulting from the grant. A reimbursement check will be issued within 30 days.
What if I have more questions?
Contact us by email at emily@heartofthecivilwar.org