General parameters for applicant and project eligibility are set by the grant program appropriation, which specifies funding for “history programs and projects operated or conducted by or through local, county, regional or other historical or cultural organizations; or for activities to preserve significant historic and cultural resources.”
Eligible applicants include:
Private property owners and for-profit organizations may not apply directly but may receive funds by collaborating with a sponsoring, eligible applicant on an eligible project. Both parties must have a vested and active interest in the project.
Grant applications for projects involving cooperation between several organizations are encouraged, especially when the project would (1) result in noticeable cost savings and/or (2) serve greater numbers of people than if it were conducted by only one organization. For projects involving more than one organization, be sure to clearly identify the lead organization that is to coordinate the project work, serve as the fiscal agent and project director and submit all final reports.
An additional $1,500,000 from the Society’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund appropriation for historical partnerships for 2011 will be awarded through the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants program solicitation process using the same application deadlines, project guidelines, review criteria, and application forms.
Partnerships are understood as follows: When two or more unrelated organizations are involved in a project, they are termed partners. Partnerships have several distinguishing characteristics. All parties must have a vested and active interest in the project. Although one of the partners might be a central or managing player with the largest role in managing the project, all partners must contribute in some tangible way to the accomplishment of the project. These contributions may take different forms, such as financial support, contributed time and labor, professional or technical expertise, access to facilities or equipment, use of intellectual property, or access to other resources or individuals. The contributions and obligations of each party in a partnership are typically codified in some form of a formal, written document such as an agreement, memorandum of understanding, or contract. Reference to the arrangements between entities above as "partnerships" is for consistency with the statutory language only and is not intended to describe or define a legal relationship between the parties.
Eligible projects fall into two large project categories – history projects and historic preservation projects. If your planned project does not appear to fit into one of these categories, call or write the Grants Office before submitting an application.
Grant funds may NOT be used to substitute for traditional funding sources. That is, they may not be used for administrative expenses unrelated to the project, general operating costs, or maintenance expenses. Other ineligible costs:
The Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants Program has been made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008. Administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.