The Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs, announces the 2024 Bergen County History Grant Funding Program.
Donor Name: Bergen County Department of Parks
State: New Jersey
County: Bergen County (NJ)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/02/2023
Size of the Grant:

General Operating Support (GOS): $2000- $10,000
Special Project (SP): $500-$2000

Grant Duration: 1 year
Details: 
The DCHA established this competitive program, with funds re-granted from the New Jersey Historical Commission, to strengthen local history organizations, to inspire projects that will preserve and contribute to the local historic record and to increase the public’s awareness and participation in local history programming.
The grant is designed to support and promote Bergen County history programs, projects, and local history-based non-profit organizations. The DCHA established this competitive program, with funds re-granted from the New Jersey Historical Commission, to strengthen local history organizations, to inspire projects that will preserve and contribute to the local historic record and to increase the public’s awareness and participation in local history programming.
The Bergen County History Grant Program was created by the Division to:

Support the fiscal stability and growth of Bergen County’s history and preservation nonprofit organizations, programs and projects.
Improve the quality and visibility of, access to, and participation in history organizations and activities in Bergen County.
Directly serve the local community by increasing the Bergen County historical record, and preserving and making it available to a broad audience.
Develop heritage tourism as an element of a county-wide plan to strengthen Bergen County’s cultural identity and economy.
Engage residents of all ages, diversity, ethnicity, and physical capability in learning opportunities centered on Bergen County’s history. Recognizing that persons with disabilities are eager to participate in cultural activities, the DCHA works to accommodate their needs and remove barriers to participation by seeking appropriate and reasonable ways to assure that programs are accessible, as well as those offered by its re-grantee organizations.
Enhance Bergen County’s quality of life and stimulate its economy by encouraging the preservation and high-quality stewardship of Bergen County’s historic sites and districts.

Goals of the Program

Diversity

Organizations and projects that describe, explain or increase our knowledge of Bergen County’s ethnic or racial diversity and history, and develop new, more diverse audiences.


Heritage Tourism

Organizations and projects that raise awareness of Bergen County history and develop program content and increase visitation to historic museums and sites.


History Education Programming

Organizations and projects that create educational curricula and programs on local history that support the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards.


Innovation

Organizations and projects that newly interpret and present local history to the public, non-traditional partnerships that inspire creative approaches to historic interpretation and programming.


Institutional Stabilization

The development of tools that improve institutional stability and services. This includes ADA and board development, long-range, strategic, financial, disaster & emergency preparedness planning.



Types of Grants

General Operating Support (GOS)

General Operating Support funding assists established non-profit historical organizations with their overall operations and management. Applicants are encouraged to match their funding 1:1.


Special Project (SP)

Special Project funding supports Bergen County history projects and programs that are open and accessible to the public. These projects increase access to, knowledge of and contribute to the local historical record, assist and encourage local historic preservation, and support history education and heritage tourism.



Funding Information

General Operating Support (GOS)

Funding range: $2000- $10,000.
1:1 Match strongly encouraged


Special Project (SP)

Funding range: $500-$2000.



Project Period
The grant period is January 1 – December 31, 2024. All expenses must be expended or incurred within this time period.
Eligibility Criteria
For General Operating Support (GOS)

Non-profit organizations based in Bergen County whose missions are exclusively dedicated to history
Have been in existence for at least two years
Be ADA compliant or demonstrate planning for such compliance
Submit or demonstrate efforts towards developing a long-range plan.

Eligible Expenses, Focus Areas & Projects:

Salaries and wages
Contracted services/outside fees and services
Printing, publicity, marketing
Postage and telephone
Fundraising and development
Staff training
Lease expenses
Mortgage interest
Equipment purchase, installation, and lease (e.g., computers, office furnishings, files)
Utilities and HVAC (purchase, installation, and operational costs of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
Maintenance of collections and the interiors of structures (i.e. most routine maintenance)
Basic grounds maintenance
Travel and transportation
Insurance
Licensing and registration fees (e.g., New Jersey charities registration)
Planning for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
Long-term and strategic planning

For Special Project (SP)

Non-profit Bergen County organizations that have been in existence for at least two years, including museums and historic societies
Local government agencies
Historic preservation commissions
Religious institutions
Schools
Libraries
Veterans Organizations
Fraternal Organization
Men’s/Women’s Clubs

Eligible Expenses & Projects:

Conservation of collections and archives
Educational initiatives
Exhibits
Media projects
Local oral history projects
Programs & projects created for special needs audiences
Publications
Publication translations
Research tools
Finding aids
Speakers
Websites
Archival folders, boxes, and other materials for conservation of historical materials such as manuscripts, books, costumes, and photographs
Archival or research library user fees
Equipment purchases with the following restrictions: only institutions and organizations may use grant funds to purchase major items, such as computers or video cameras. All grant recipients, however, may use grant funds to purchase items such as inexpensive recording devices and computer software
Equipment rental
Materials for fabricating and installing exhibitions
Microfilming
Oral history tape transcription
Payment of exhibition loan fees and shipping costs
Photography and photocopying
Production of promotional or advertising materials
Travel and maintenance for speakers and honoraria for speakers
Supplies to be used in the project (such as storage materials, office supplies, display materials, and materials for educational projects)
Travel and/or maintenance while conducting research
Publication costs, such as typesetting, printing, copyright permission fees, and binding
Wages or stipends for project personnel, such as conservators, curators, educational consultants, and researchers

For more information, visit Bergen County Department of Parks.