Welcome to the Northern Neck National Heritage Area Grant Program
GOAL: To support projects linked to the mission of the Northern Neck National Heritage Area:
Preserve and promote the Northern Neck region’s legacy through community partnerships that advance the protection of its agricultural and maritime heritage, expand recreational opportunities, enhance heritage tourism, and support educational initiatives.
Details about the mission and themes of the Northern Neck National Heritage Area can be found in its Management Plan.
GRANTS: Applications in the amount of $5,000 to $30,000 per project will be considered in the following categories: Museum and Archival Collection Assessment, Historic Preservation, Interpretation, Workshops, Local History and Archiving, Event, Musical Productions and Art Projects, Recreation Planning and Programming, and Environmental Projects. The awarded amount must be matched by the applicant. The Grant Program Design Document has additional details.
ELIGIBILITY: Nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, educational institutions, or local government agencies may apply. Projects must be in the Northern Neck NHA’s boundary of King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland Counties.
NOT FUNDED: Requests to cover the cost of personnel, fringe benefits, operations, travel, construction, food, alcohol, and/or prizes.
For questions about the Northern Neck National Heritage Area or to receive an application packet, please email nntc@northernneck.org
GRANT APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
In addition to completing and submitting the Online Application Form, please email the following documents to nntc@northernneck.org
1) A Narrative Describing the Project
2) Budget (Download Excel or PDF Templates)
3) Letter Verifying Matching Funds from Financial
officer or authorized representative
4) Vendor Quotes (for expenses to be reimbursed
or used as match)
5) IRS W9 Form
6) Copy of IRS determination letter (if applicable)
FAQs
Who is eligible? Non-profits, local governments, academic institutions, and tribal entities with projects located within the five counties of the Northern Neck National Heritage Area (NNNHA): King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland.
What projects are eligible? Projects must be located in & support the mission of the NNNHA & be linked to a NNNHA theme. Grants are for ten months.
How do I apply? Instructions & forms are available on northernneck.us, or upon email request at nntc@northernneck.org. All grant submissions are completed either on paper or online and submitted by email, USPS mail, or in person at the Northern Neck Planning District Commission office in Warsaw, 457 Main Street, Warsaw, VA 22572.
When do I apply? Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis as long as funds are available.
What happens after I apply? Qualified & objective grant readers review & score it. We may need to ask you for clarification or additional documentation at this point. Within sixty days of the application deadline, we’ll email you regarding the status of your application. Then, if your application is approved, we’ll prepare your contract, have it reviewed & signed by the appropriate folks & then email it to you. As soon as you sign & date the contract & return it to us, it’s actionable.
How are grants paid? Awards range from $5,000.00-$30,000.00 and are not official until both parties sign a contract. No money spent before you sign your contract will be reimbursed. In addition, NNNHA grants require a 1:1 match.
What do “actionable,” and “1:1 match” mean? “Actionable” means that your contract isn’t in effect until you sign & date it–you can’t use any expenses or match contributions made before that date in your final reporting. “1:1 match” means that in addition to paying your expenses (the grant amount agreed upon in the contract), you invest an equal amount of cash match into the project through additional expenses. For example, if you request $5,000 for interpretive signage, you must invest an additional $5,000 into the interpretive-signage project through other non-federal funds.
When will I receive the check? NNNHA grants are reimbursable upon project completion. Project receipts and proof of payment (canceled checks, proof of wire transfer, or bank statements documenting proof of payment for credit card purchases) must be submitted along with the final report prior to reimbursement.
Will NNNHA help me with the application? If you submit a draft of the application, NNNHA will review it for completeness & notify you of missing elements.
How many grants will be awarded? The number of grants awarded each cycle will vary. Applicants who are not approved may reapply in the next cycle. NNNHA has a limited amount of funds available to award grants; once those funds are depleted, the grants program will be suspended & will reopen as funds become available.
How will I be notified if I’ve received an award? Applicants are notified of their status within 30 days of submission. All correspondence is via email.
Any other comments or questions? Contact Lisa Hull, Tourism and Heritage Area Coordinator at the Northern Neck Planning District Commission at nntc@northernneck.org.
###