County History Partnership Program (CHPP) Grant

The County History Partnership Program (CHPP) Grant is administered in Somerset County by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission (SCC&HC), the county agency officially designated to apply for, receive, and administer annual County History Partnership Program funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC). The program supports existing and emerging local history organizations and other eligible entities that provide history programming, services, and organizational development. Awards are competitive and are intended to encourage excellence in local history programming. Funding for the 2027 cycle is contingent upon funds being made available to SCC&HC by the NJHC. Eligible applicants must be based in Somerset County and operate as a New Jersey nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status, a unit of local government, an institution of higher education, or a faith-based organization that meets the program requirements. Applicants must provide programs or services that increase public access to New Jersey history, expand knowledge of New Jersey history, or improve management of a local history organization. Organizations must have provided public history programs or services in Somerset County for the benefit of the general public for at least two years before application and must demonstrate stability and fiscal responsibility. Educational and religious programs that do not actively seek a broad general public audience are ineligible. Faith-based applications are subject to New Jersey State Attorney General review to ensure that proposed funding is not for religious use. Two grant categories are available. General Operating Support, or GOS, is limited to nonprofit organizations whose missions are exclusively devoted to the public presentation of history. GOS may support eligible operating costs such as personnel, insurance, utilities, administrative expenses, programming, marketing, staff training, equipment, routine maintenance, planning, audits, and certain travel. GOS applicants may request up to 50 percent of their total projected 2027 operating budget, excluding capital funds. Special Project, or SP, grants are open to organizations meeting the general eligibility requirements and support defined projects focused on New Jersey history that benefit the general public in Somerset County. SP applicants may request up to $20,000. Priority is given to projects focused on or related to the 250th anniversary of American Independence, although that focus is encouraged rather than required. No match is required for either category for 2027. Prohibited costs vary by category but include such items as retroactive funding, advocacy for a political, religious, or ideological position, direct payments to professional artists, and fabrication or installation of historic markers. Capital improvements and acquisitions are also prohibited for GOS, while SP has additional project-specific restrictions. Applications must use the official forms and must be received in office by 4:00 P.M. on September 16, 2026. Postmarking by the deadline is insufficient. Applicants must mail or hand-deliver one original application package in a pocket folder to the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, P.O. Box 3000/20 Grove Street, Somerville, NJ 08876-1262, Attention: 2027 CHPP Grant Application. The original must contain required signatures in blue ink; faxed and emailed applications are not accepted. Required application components include the Application Summary, narrative questions, Financial and Budgetary Information, Financial Charts, ADA Access Questionnaire, Board and Demographics Charts, Authorization/Certification page, RFA Document Checklist, applicable tax-exemption documentation, key staff resumes, professional resumes and commitment documentation where applicable, government authorizing resolution where applicable, and support materials. A long-range plan is required for GOS applicants and encouraged for SP applicants. Applications are evaluated by an independent peer panel of history professionals. Review considers the merit of the organization or project, relevant partnerships and collaborations, audience and diversity outreach, marketing and promotion strategy, involvement of experienced and qualified professionals, contingency planning, organizational stability and fiscal responsibility, and ADA compliance. Complete applications should demonstrate sound planning, judicious use of requested funds, public benefit in Somerset County, realistic budgets, qualified personnel, efforts to reach diverse audiences, outside support, and realistic contingency plans. The highest-ranking applications are recommended for funding, with final approval proceeding through the SCC&HC and the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners. Applicants may not directly contact independent peer panel members regarding their applications. The RFA was released August 11, 2026. Virtual technical assistance workshops are scheduled for August 20, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. and September 2, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. Written questions are due September 9, 2026 at 4:00 P.M., and applications are due September 16, 2026 at 4:00 P.M. Peer panel review is scheduled for October 2026, final SCC&HC funding approval for November 2026, and Commissioner approval and award notification for December 2026. Re-grantee contract paperwork is expected in January-February 2027, with contracts due back in March 2027. The grant period is January 1 through December 31, 2027, with an interim report due in June 2027 and the final report due January 8, 2028. An initial payment of 75 percent is made following approval and authorization of the required agreement and attachments, while the remaining 25 percent is reimbursed after an approved Final Report and verification that grant requirements have been satisfied. The CHPP is described as an annual program. Questions may be directed in writing to culturalheritage@somersetcountynj.gov or by telephone to (908) 203-6020; the named program contact is Kaitlin Bundy, Manager, Cultural & Heritage Commission.

Demonstrate clear public benefit in Somerset County and strong New Jersey history relevance; provide sound advanced planning and judicious use of requested funds; show realistic budgets fiscal responsibility and outside support; document qualified professionals with resumes and commitment letters; demonstrate audience and diversity outreach with supporting evidence; provide a clear marketing strategy that promotes ADA accessibility; include realistic funding and emergency contingency plans; SP applicants should note that priority is given to projects focused on or related to the 250th anniversary of American Independence; ensure every required component is complete because significant noncompliance can result in disqualification