HEART Grant Program

The Union County HEART Grant Program is administered by the Union County Board of County Commissioners to support initiatives in history, education, arts, and humanities that benefit residents of Union County, New Jersey. The program was established to foster a thriving cultural environment by strengthening nonprofit organizations, artists, and scholars. It aims to enhance the county’s cultural ecosystem by encouraging innovative programming that highlights local heritage, artistic expression, and educational enrichment. Through this initiative, the county positions itself as a center for cultural excellence and community engagement. The primary purpose of the HEART Grant is to fund projects that directly benefit Union County residents while increasing appreciation for local history, arts, and humanities. Funded activities must demonstrate cultural value and contribute to community life, education, economic development, and heritage tourism. Priority is given to projects that showcase Union County-based resources, engage residents of all ages, promote participation among diverse populations, and introduce new applicants or innovative programming. The program is competitive, and applicants may not receive the full amount requested due to funding limitations and dependency on county budget approval. Eligible applicants include Union County-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status or pending designation, units of local government, libraries, and individual artists or scholars residing in Union County. Educational and religious institutions may apply if their proposed programs are open to the general public and not part of religious observance. Applicants may only submit one application per grant year and may only apply to one of the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs grant programs annually. All proposed projects must take place within Union County and serve the local population. Funding is intended for specific programs or projects rather than general operating expenses. Allowable costs include artist or speaker fees, professional services, rentals, supplies, printing, and technical support directly related to the project. Certain costs are explicitly prohibited, including administrative salaries, scholarships, capital improvements, hospitality expenses, and fundraising activities unrelated to arts or history. Equipment purchases may be allowed if essential to the project, subject to prior approval. Organizations requesting more than 1000 dollars must provide a cash match, with a minimum of 25 percent required for requests between 1001 and 2200 dollars. Applications must be submitted online through the designated grant portal, and hard copies are not accepted. First-time applicants are required to submit a draft application, including a narrative and project budget, by October 23, 2026. The final application deadline is October 30, 2026. The application must include a detailed project description, budget, supporting documentation such as resumes, and proof of tax-exempt status where applicable. Applications are reviewed by staff for completeness and then evaluated by the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board, which makes funding recommendations to the County Commissioners for final approval. Evaluation criteria include artistic, educational, or historical merit, demonstration of community need, clarity of project implementation, anticipated benefit to the community, and the applicant’s administrative capacity. Applicants must present a realistic and balanced budget and demonstrate the ability to successfully execute the proposed project. Successful applicants will be notified following a County Commissioners meeting in early 2027, and projects must take place between January 1 and December 31, 2027. Grant funds are distributed in two installments, with an initial payment upon contract execution and a final reimbursement after submission and approval of a required final report. The final report must include financial documentation, attendance figures, and a narrative summary, and is due within 30 days of project completion or no later than November 16, 2027. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact Nicole DeAugustine, HEART Grant Program Coordinator, via email or phone. The program is expected to conclude on December 31, 2027 unless renewed by the County Commissioners.

Emphasize clear community benefit and alignment with Union County cultural priorities; present a realistic and balanced budget; highlight new or innovative programming; demonstrate administrative capability