African American Heritage Preservation Program

The African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP) is a State of Maryland capital grant program jointly administered by the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC). Established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2010, the program was created to encourage the identification, preservation, rehabilitation, and interpretation of buildings, sites, structures, and communities connected to the African American experience in Maryland. The program provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations, local governments, business entities, and individuals undertaking eligible preservation projects that demonstrate significance to African American history, culture, and heritage. The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture focuses on documenting, preserving, and promoting Maryland’s African American heritage while educating residents and visitors about its importance. The Maryland Historical Trust serves as Maryland’s State Historic Preservation Office and supports preservation through conservation, research, and technical assistance. The program provides approximately $5 million in available funding during the FY27 grant cycle. Individual grant requests may range from a suggested minimum of $10,000 up to a maximum of $250,000. A funding match is not required. Eligible projects must involve construction-related activities with a projected useful life of at least 15 years and must be located within Maryland. Eligible activities include acquisition of historic or culturally significant properties, rehabilitation and restoration work, capital improvements, new construction connected to African American interpretation or heritage, stabilization of endangered properties, and predevelopment activities such as architectural plans, historic structure reports, archaeological investigations, and engineering services directly tied to a capital project. The program specifically excludes non-capital and operational expenses such as fundraising, routine maintenance, landscaping unrelated to project scope, exhibit development, research, staff salaries, insurance, legal fees, and projects already underway or completed prior to award approval. Projects funded through AAHPP must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The Maryland Historical Trust reviews project scopes, procurement processes, and construction activities to ensure compliance with preservation standards and grant requirements. Religious properties may apply, but grant funds generally may only support structural or exterior work and may not fund worship spaces or religious imagery. Cemeteries may also qualify if ownership is clearly documented and the project involves eligible capital work such as marker conservation or protective infrastructure. Certain historic properties may require the conveyance of a preservation easement to the Maryland Historical Trust before grant funds are released. Applicants are also expected to maintain their organizational standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation throughout the grant period. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, local governments, business entities, and individuals. State and federal entities may apply under nonprofit eligibility structures, although federally or state-owned properties may encounter easement limitations. Applications must demonstrate a strong public benefit and clearly explain how the project advances understanding, preservation, or interpretation of African American heritage in Maryland. Competitive projects typically provide public access, educational programming, or community engagement opportunities. Applicants are encouraged to contact MHT or MCAAHC staff early in project planning for guidance on project eligibility, technical preservation issues, and application development. Applicants are also encouraged to attend webinars, workshops, and technical assistance sessions prior to submission. The FY27 application period opened in early April 2026 and applications must be submitted online through the official grants portal no later than July 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Separate application links are provided for organizations and individuals. Required submission materials include a detailed project narrative, scope of work, timeline, budget spreadsheet, photographs, owner consent documentation, organizational documents, and letters of support. Applicants must also provide proof of ownership or site control, evidence of nonprofit status if applicable, and detailed descriptions of public benefit and educational impact. The application process is organized into multiple sections including project description, budget, significance and impact, public benefit, project management, and attachments. Applicants may submit only one application per property, though multiple applications are allowed for separate properties. Applications are evaluated through a structured scoring process administered by MCAAHC and MHT. Review criteria include project significance, urgency, project scope, protective value, budget realism, financial capability, project schedule, administrative capacity, professional expertise, educational value, local support, leverage potential, and alignment with the annual Association for the Study of African American Life and History theme. For FY27, the special initiative theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations.” Evaluation occurs between July and November 2026, with funding recommendations presented to the MHT Board of Trustees in December 2026. Final approvals are expected from the Maryland Board of Public Works during early 2027, with awards announced publicly afterward. Grant agreements and easement documentation are expected to be completed between February and April 2027, with construction and implementation occurring through 2028. Projects are generally expected to be completed by late 2028 or early 2029. Program contacts include Stacy Montgomery, Capital Programs Administrator, at stacy.montgomery@maryland.gov or 410-697-9559, and Bill Hersch, Capital Grants and Loans Administrator, at bill.hersch@maryland.gov or 410-697-9574. Additional technical guidance is available through MCAAHC Director Chanel C. Johnson and MHT staff. Applicants may access guidelines, sample budgets, webinar recordings, owner consent templates, photo templates, and grant manuals through the Maryland Historical Trust website and grant portal resources. The AAHPP operates as an annual recurring grant opportunity and future cycles are expected to reopen in Spring 2027 following completion of the current FY27 review and award process.

Applicants should contact MHT or MCAAHC staff early to confirm eligibility and strengthen project scope. Competitive projects clearly demonstrate public benefit educational value and long-term preservation impact. Reviewers prioritize projects addressing urgent preservation needs realistic schedules and compliance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards. Strong applications include detailed cost estimates complete photo documentation and evidence of community support.