Funding Amount

$3,000 - $20,000

Deadline

November 30, 2026

66 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Appalachian Forest Grants Program

Status: Currently closed for 2025 applications. Next cycle opens Fall 2026.

Geographic Scope: 18 counties within the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, including Allegany County (MD), Garrett County (MD), Barbour County (WV), Braxton County (WV), Grant County (WV), Greenbrier County (WV), Hampshire County (WV), Hardy County (WV), Mineral County (WV), Morgan County (WV), Nicholas County (WV), Pendleton County (WV), Pocahontas County (WV), Preston County (WV), Randolph County (WV), Tucker County (WV), Upshur County (WV), and Webster County (WV).

Eligible Applicants: Government and non-profit organizations that are AFNHA partners

Focus Areas:

  • Preservation projects

  • Interpretation and heritage education

  • Tourism development

  • Collections management

  • America250 stories

  • Indigenous Appalachia projects

  • Forest heritage themes: Forest Abundance, Crucible of Isolation, the Logging Boom Builds the Nation, the Resilient Forest
  • Award Range: $3,000 - $20,000 per project

    Funding Source: National Park Service Heritage Partnership Program

    Expected Outcomes: Projects are expected to produce matching and leveraged funds in local communities (2024 awards generated $265,000 in additional leveraged funds)

    Contact:

  • Address: PO Box 1206, Elkins, WV 26241

  • Phone: (304) 636-6182

  • Email: afnha@afnha.org
  • Background: AFNHA is a member of the National Heritage Area System and has awarded grants for two years (2023-2024, with 2025 cycle just completed). Past awards supported projects including heritage preservation, trail development, museum enhancements, and indigenous history documentation.

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Current Status: The 2025 AF Grant Program is no longer accepting applications. Applications will reopen for the 2026 cycle in Fall 2026.

    General Requirements (based on past cycles):

  • Projects must support AFNHA goals and relate to designated forest heritage themes

  • Projects should align with AFNHA Core Values (see Management Plan at www.appalachianforestnha.org/management-planning)

  • Applicants must be AFNHA partner organizations
  • Portal Access: Current active grantees may access their grant portal for ongoing administration of funded projects.

    For More Information: Check the AF Grants Program page for updates on 2026 application opening and procedures.

    What Appalachian Forest Heritage Area Inc actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024

    Grants in 2024
    12
    Total given
    $101K
    Median grant
    $8,941
    Range
    $5,421–$14K
    • By dollars: West Virginia 77%, Maryland 23%. Top recipient cities: Elkins, WV; Frostburg, MD; Mathia, WV.
    • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

    Example grants

    • Evergreen Heritage Center Foundation Inc · Frostburg, MD

      The purpose of this project is to develop displays and interpretive signage for an…

      $14K

    • Hardy County Convention and Visitors Bureau · Mathia, WV

      Working with designers, installers, a writer, and continuing our work with consultants…

      $10K

    • High Rocks Educational Corporation · Hillsboro, WV

      We need to restore and repair two buildings on Historic Main Street. We are seeking…

      $10K

    • Passages of the W Potomac Heritage Area · Cumberland, MD

      The PWPHA would like to add augmented reality sites to the app. These sites would all…

      $10K

    • Woodlands Development Group · Elkins, WV

      The rehabilitated Tygart Hotel will have it's walls covered with original art created…

      $10K

    IRS Form 990-PF, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    nonprofitsenvironmental-conservationhistoryhumanities

    Categories

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