Historic Preservation State Grant Fund

The Historic Preservation State Grant Fund is administered by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History and is designed to support the preservation of historic buildings throughout the state. The program focuses on projects that provide public benefit by maintaining and rehabilitating structures that are historically significant. Eligible properties must be listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places, contribute to a registered historic district, or be determined eligible by the State Historic Preservation Office. These buildings must be located within South Carolina, reinforcing the program’s geographic focus on statewide cultural preservation. The program offers two distinct funding categories: Planning Grants and Stabilization Grants. Planning Grants are intended to support the development of detailed, bid-ready plans and specifications necessary for future preservation work. These grants help applicants prepare for more substantial construction activities by ensuring that all work aligns with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Stabilization Grants, on the other hand, are awarded for implementation-ready projects that address structural integrity and weatherproofing needs. Applicants are restricted to applying for only one category per funding cycle, ensuring equitable distribution of resources. Funding is provided on a reimbursable basis, meaning recipients must initially cover project costs and then seek reimbursement from the state. Planning Grants offer awards up to 50,000 dollars with no required cash match, while Stabilization Grants range from 40,000 to 200,000 dollars and require a minimum 20 percent cash match of the total project cost. For stabilization awards, recipients must also enter into a protective covenant agreement lasting five or ten years depending on the award size, ensuring long-term preservation of the funded property. Applicants must demonstrate financial readiness by having at least 50 percent of total project costs available at the time of application. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, local governments, and federally or state-recognized Native American tribes. These entities must be based in South Carolina, hold tax-exempt status or government designation, be registered with the South Carolina Secretary of State, and have been operational for at least five consecutive years. Additionally, applicants must own the historic property and hold its deed, ensuring legal authority to carry out preservation work. The application process is competitive and requires submission of a complete application package by the stated deadline. Required materials include detailed project descriptions, supporting documentation, photographs of the building’s current condition, and for stabilization projects, fully developed plans and specifications. Applications are reviewed based on threshold eligibility criteria and evaluated using factors such as organizational capacity, project readiness, public benefit, geographic distribution, and the severity of threats to the building. For the 2025–2026 cycle, applications were due by September 24, 2025, with award notifications expected in mid-November 2025. Projects funded under this cycle must be completed by specific deadlines depending on the grant type, with planning projects concluding by the end of 2026 and stabilization projects by early 2027. The program operates on an annual cycle aligned with the state fiscal year, and future funding rounds are anticipated to open around June or July each year. Applicants are encouraged to consult with program staff during the application process. The department provides support through consultations, draft reviews, and guidance on project feasibility. Questions can be directed via email to the program contact, and additional resources such as application guidance documents and checklists are available to help applicants prepare strong submissions.

Ensure project readiness with bid-ready plans; demonstrate public benefit and community impact; prioritize buildings under threat; align strictly with rehabilitation standards