Applications are now open for the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund grants, according to an announcement from the New Jersey Historic Trust, which is affiliated with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The Trust has set a deadline of April 16, 2026, for submitting applications and supporting documents for this round of funding. A total of $10 million in grant money is available.
“The preservation of history is more than rescuing buildings. It’s about strengthening communities and honoring the people and stories that contributed to shaping their identity,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “These grants provide nonprofit organizations and local governments with the necessary resources to plan carefully, invest responsibly, and keep New Jersey’s historic sites operational and accessible in the years ahead.”
The grant program will support preservation planning, municipal, county and regional planning, heritage tourism initiatives, as well as capital preservation projects such as building repairs. Eligible applicants include 501(c) nonprofit organizations and state, municipal, or county government entities. Properties must be listed on or certified eligible for listing on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places by August 3, 2026.
“The New Jersey Historic Trust is pleased to once again offer grants through the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund,” said Glenn Ceponis, executive director of the Trust. “These grants play a key role in making historic site preservation attainable for a broad audience.”
Planning grants can be used for activities such as developing preservation plans, engineering studies or archaeological assessments to help ensure long-term stewardship and management of historic sites. Heritage tourism initiatives may include tourism readiness surveys or signage systems to connect points of interest across communities. Municipal, county or regional planning projects can focus on developing local historic preservation ordinances or master plan components. The maximum request for planning grants is $75,000; recipients must provide matching funds at a ratio of $1 match for every $3 requested.
Capital preservation grants support construction expenses related to preserving, restoring or rehabilitating historic properties—including required professional fees for project preparation and completion. There are three levels: Level I requests range from $5,000–$150,000 with a $2 match per $3 requested; Level II ranges from $150,000–$750,000 with a one-to-one match; Level III multi-phase projects require at least two phases with each phase eligible for between $500,000–$750,000 in funding (also requiring a one-to-one match). Multi-phase funding allows larger complex projects up to three years if requirements are met. All construction proposals must be supported by prior research such as conservation plans or assessments.
Guidelines and application materials are available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/njht/programs/preservenj/overview/. Applicants are encouraged to review eligibility criteria carefully before applying; staff assistance is available via phone at 609-984-0473 or email at njht@dca.nj.gov.
The Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund was created by legislation in 2016 after voters approved a constitutional amendment allocating corporate business tax revenue to fund open space protection—including farmland and historic preservation efforts—providing stable funding statewide since then. This program continues earlier state efforts that have provided over $200 million in matching grants since 1990.
The New Jersey Historic Trust was established by the State Legislature as an affiliate nonprofit under DCA oversight with a mission to promote historic preservation through education programs and financial investment benefiting future generations.
For further details about grant programs visit http://www.njht.org.
More information about DCA programs can be found at https://nj.gov/dca/.
