Heritage Fund
FY2026 Now Open
For FY26, the Heritage Fund will have $144,000 available in funding. The maximum award amount is $10,000. The majority of the grant awards fall between $2,000 and $6,000. As this is a competitive grant program, not all grant proposals are funded, and it is not uncommon for a partial award to be made.
The Heritage Fund is open to applications from non-profit organizations and instrumentalities of state, counties, and municipalities engaged in historic preservation projects. Private property owners are not eligible for funding. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to complete their grant project within a calendar year of receiving the award. Extensions and modification requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are not automatically granted.
The wide array of eligible projects falls into three general categories: education & research; planning & feasibility; and repair & rehabilitation. Please consult the FY26 Program Guidelines for the full eligibility requirements.
It is recommended that potential applicants contact PM before beginning an application to ensure eligibility. PM staff will be available virtually via Zoom on the following dates and times to discuss grant requirements and answer questions.
Watch the January 22nd Info Session Here:
Friday, February 13, 2026, 12:30 PM – Heritage Fund Office Hours – February Session
Friday, March 13, 2026, 12:30 PM – Heritage Fund Office Hours – March Session
These will be unstructured drop-in discussions and Q&A sessions where attendees can ask specific questions about program eligibility and completing the application.
Established in 1996, the Heritage Fund is a cooperative effort of Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust, which provides direct assistance for the protection of historical and cultural resources and promotes innovative demonstration projects that can be successfully replicated to meet Maryland’s historic preservation needs. Open once a year, the Heritage Fund is intended to serve the needs of tangible cultural resources in Maryland that are not likely to be met through existing Preservation Maryland and Maryland Historical Trust programs. For questions about the program, or to get added to the Heritage Fund announcement mailing list, please contact Christiana Limniatis, Program & Outreach Manager at climniatis@PresMD.org or 410-685-2886 x302.
FY25 included 18 total projects and more than $125,000 awarded, leveraging more than $500,000 in total project budgets. Learn more about FY25 recipients here.
During FY24, the Heritage Fund awarded a total of $119,200 to 17 projects across Maryland. Click here to learn more about those projects.
Statewide Impact
Mapping Heritage Fund projects across Maryland
Are you a previous Heritage Fund awardee and are now ready to close out your grant? Click the button below to submit your Disbursement Form.