County History Partnership Program

The County History Partnership Program is administered by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a state agency within the New Jersey Department of State dedicated to advancing public knowledge and preservation of New Jersey history. Established in 1967, the Commission operates a grant program funded primarily through legislative appropriations, with the goal of supporting organizations and activities that broaden public engagement with the state’s historical resources. The County History Partnership Program was created in 2015 to extend local re-granting opportunities to all twenty one counties, ensuring that funding reaches both established and emerging history organizations serving diverse communities across the state. The purpose of the program is to strengthen county-level history infrastructure by supporting designated county cultural and heritage agencies. These agencies are responsible for administering re-grant programs to local organizations and individuals, while also potentially applying for funds to support their own operational programming. The program emphasizes expanding access to historical resources, increasing diversity in audiences, preserving historical materials, and fostering innovative programming that enhances understanding of New Jersey history. Funding may be used for general operating support for history organizations, project-based activities, or administrative costs associated with managing the re-grant program. Funding structure within the program includes multiple components. County agencies may request funds for re-granting based on demonstrated need and historical demand, as well as an administrative allowance of up to 5000 dollars to support program management. Agencies seeking funding for their own operations may request up to thirty three percent of their average non state history operating income across the most recent fiscal year and current projections. A matching requirement applies only to operational funding, requiring a three to one cash match from non state sources, while re-granted funds and administrative allowances do not require matching contributions. Eligible expenditures include salaries, contracted services, marketing, utilities, collections maintenance, and planning activities, while capital improvements, acquisitions, debt service, and advocacy activities are explicitly prohibited. Eligibility for the program is restricted to officially designated county cultural and heritage agencies as recognized by each county’s Board of County Commissioners. These agencies must comply with applicable federal and state regulations, including civil rights and labor standards laws. The program operates on a three year funding cycle covering fiscal years 2026 through 2028, with continued funding in subsequent years contingent upon satisfactory reporting, compliance, and availability of state appropriations. Re-grant recipients supported through county agencies may include nonprofit organizations and, in some cases, individuals or emerging groups, provided they meet program guidelines and demonstrate alignment with New Jersey history programming. The application process requires submission through the System for Administering Grants Electronically by a specified deadline. Applicants must provide detailed narratives describing program goals, community impact, audience engagement strategies, evaluation methods, and staffing qualifications. Additional required components include financial documentation, re-grant program data, and supporting materials such as reviewer qualifications and program guidelines. Applications are evaluated by independent panels of experts who assess proposals based on alignment with program goals, professional standards, organizational capacity, and potential public impact. Recommendations are reviewed by the Commission’s Grants and Prizes Committee and finalized through public vote. Key dates for the fiscal year 2026 cycle include an intent to apply deadline of March 3, 2025 and a full application deadline of April 3, 2025. Award notifications are issued in July 2025, with the grant period running from January 1 through December 31, 2026. Interim reports are due mid year and final reports shortly after the close of the grant period, with similar reporting requirements for subsequent years in the cycle. The program is recurring and expected to reopen for new applications in the spring of 2028. Applicants may contact the New Jersey Historical Commission directly for guidance, and appeals of funding decisions must be submitted within thirty days of notification. Overall, the County History Partnership Program represents a structured statewide investment in local history ecosystems, leveraging county level partnerships to distribute funding effectively. By combining operational support, re-granting mechanisms, and strong evaluation standards, the program aims to sustain and expand access to New Jersey’s historical resources while encouraging inclusive, high quality programming that reflects the state’s diverse communities and heritage.

Focus on clear audience engagement strategies; demonstrate community need with data; ensure strong evaluation methods; align proposal with diversity and inclusion priorities