Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program

The Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program, administered by the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), provides $1 million in funding for the preservation of Maryland’s historic properties and sites. This grant program offers money for important and urgently needed preservation projects that benefit the public.

Timeline

• Application opens: February
• Application deadline: March
• Awards announced: June

Eligible applicants 

• Nonprofit organizations
• Local governments
• Businesses
• Individuals 

Eligible projects  

The Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program provides funding to: 

• Acquire historic properties, such as buildings, bridges, and other qualifying structures and sites
• Stabilize, rehabilitate, or restore historic properties
• Develop plans and specifications, and architectural, engineering, or other special services directly related to pre-construction work (for nonprofit and local government applicants only)   

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.  

Grant funds cannot pay for routine maintenance, fundraising expenses, research, exhibits, or work that has already started or been finished. See the grant guidelines for a longer list of eligible and ineligible costs. 

Eligible properties 

To qualify, a property must be listed in or determined eligible listing in for the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as part of a historic district. Prospective applicants should reach out to MHT program staff for an eligibility determination before they apply. 

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. 

Available funding 

Applicants may request up to $100,000 in funding. 

A 1:1 cash match is required for all applicants other than nonprofits. 

If a property receives grant funding, a historic preservation easement on the property must be conveyed to MHT. 

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, letters of support, 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 staff early in project planning for guidance.

Explore previously funded projects 

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