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Maryland Historical Trust

African American Heritage Preservation Program Grants

Small gray building with a bright red double door, white trim, and ramp, surrounded by green trees and grass on a sunny day.

The African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP) provides $5 million in grants to assist in the preservation of buildings, sites, and communities significant to African American history and culture in Maryland. 

The program is jointly administered by the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC). 

Timeline 

  • Application opens: early April
  • Application deadline: July 1
  • Awards announced: December 

Eligible applicants 

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Local governments
  • Businesses
  • Individuals 

Eligible projects 

Projects must: 

Brick building with columns and antenna, surrounded by a lawn and trees.
Historic image of Upton Mansion (Baltimore City) Credit: LOC

  • Be located in Maryland 

  • Demonstrate a clear, direct connection to African American history, culture, or heritage  

AAHPP provides capital grants to: 

  • Preserve or acquire buildings, sites or structures significant to African American history
  • Restore or rehabilitate historic sites
  • Enhance or improve site appearance or the visitor experience
  • Develop new facilities or public art to interpret or celebrate African American history
  • Stabilize endangered properties
  • Develop plans and specifications, and architectural, engineering, or other special services directly related to pre-construction work 

Grant funds cannot pay for work that has already started or been finished. See the grant guidelines - PDF 735.49 KB for a longer list of eligible and ineligible costs. 

Projects must comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties (26 CFR 68). MHT will review project progress to ensure compliance. 

Eligible properties 

The property or the proposed use of the property must have an association with African American heritage and should benefit the public to be competitive. 

Property owner permission must be provided as part of the grant application. 

Special cases: 

  • Religious properties: Grants can generally only fund structural or exterior work, not work on interior worship spaces or elements bearing religious imagery.
  • Cemeteries: May qualify for assistance, but the applicant must demonstrate clear property ownership. 

Properties individually listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register may be subject to a historic preservation easement held by MHT. 

Available funding 

  • Applicants may request up to $250,000 in funding.
  • A match is not required. 

How to apply 

  1. Review the current grant guidelines and sample materials.
  2. Confirm applicant and project eligibility.
  3. Attend pre-application workshop or webinar.
  4. Prepare required attachments such as cost estimates, photographs, and proof of ownership or site control.
  5. Submit a completed application through the grants portal before the posted deadline. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact MHT or MCAAHC staff early in project planning for guidance.  

Guidelines & documents for applicants

Technical assistance

Resources for AAHPP grantees

Explore previously funded projects 

Explore stories and highlights from past AAHPP grant recipients on MHT's Our History, Our Heritage blog.