Las Vegas Centennial Commission Grant

Las Vegas Centennial Commission Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: City of Las Vegas
Last Updated: September 08, 2025

Summary

The Las Vegas Centennial Commission Grant supports initiatives that preserve and enhance historic resources in Las Vegas. Established in 2003, this grant promotes education, commemoration, and preservation of the city's rich history. Eligible applicants include governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and owners of historically designated properties. Grants can fund various projects, such as historic preservation, educational resources, events, and artistic works, helping to foster community engagement and cultural heritage awareness.

Overview

Las Vegas Centennial Commission Grant The Las Vegas Centennial Commission (LVCC) was formed in 2003 to plan, organize, coordinate, and implement the activities, celebration and education associated with the City’s Centennial to commemorate the 1905 founding of the community of Las Vegas. Grants from the (LVCC) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing funding to facilitate the education, commemoration, preservation and enhancement of historic resources in Las Vegas. The Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial is a group of appointed citizens who oversee the distribution of centennial grants to generate community projects that promote and preserve Las Vegas history. The group receives funding through the Centennial license plate, a special commemorative plate still available through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. Since 2005 the commission has awarded more than $21 million in grants. Funding If any expense exceeds fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) you must obtain three (3) competitive bids, or provide justification for a sole source procurement.   A Performance Bond or personal guaranty may be required for grant funding over $100,000.00.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Governmental agencies, for-profit, non-profit organizations and/or owners of residential properties designated on the City of Las Vegas Historic Register are eligible to apply. If applying as a nonprofit organization, a copy of the organization’s 501(c) (3) tax exempt status must be submitted at time of application. Applicants who have received previous Centennial grants are eligible to apply provided that all grant requirements are current.Grants for projects related to the celebration and commemoration of the history of the City of Las Vegas will be awarded to eligible applicants in accordance with NRS 482.37903. Applicants may apply for consideration based on the following categories. Please note that your project can be related to one or more than one of the listed categories:Historic Preservation Projects which focus on the preservation, conservation and protection of irreplaceable buildings, sites, and other artifacts of historical significance, all of which are an important part of Las Vegas’ cultural heritage. Examples of projects funded in the past include: Restoration of the historic Westside School Rehabilitation of the First Las Vegas Federal Building/Post Office into The Mob Museum Preservation of historic Las Vegas neon, both the Neon Museum and neon signs along Las Vegas Boulevard The restoration and re-installation of the historic Blue Angel Motel Statue and Sign at the intersections of Charleston Blvd/Eastern Ave/Fremont St The renovation of the entryway to the Performing Arts Center at the historic Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Events Funding for activities and functions that commemorate the history of the City of Las Vegas, promote tourism and engage the public through the delivery of unique experiences. Examples of projects receiving funding include: The yearlong centennial celebration in 2005 The annual Helldorado (now Las Vegas Days) Parade in downtown Las Vegas The annual “Vintage Vegas Home Tours” and “Home and History Tours” with the Nevada Preservation Foundation The Springs Preserve Culture and History Fair Education Funding for educational resources that serve to teach and engage the public. These efforts increase overall public awareness and contribute to greater advocacy and appreciation of the history of the city. The development of lesson plans, workshops, online resources, historic tours, maps, publications and interpretive signs and markers are examples of eligible projects in this category.Projects funded in the past include: Educational Outreach Program (Mob Museum) Historical/Cultural Maps (Outside Las Vegas Foundation) Art District Historical Tour (Artztogo) Floyd Lamb Park Historical Markers (City of Las Vegas) The book “72 Years in Las Vegas” (Dr. Sarann Preddy) The digitization of historic newspapers, the “Las Vegas Age” and “Las Vegas Times” (UNLV) The traveling exhibit, “Tusks! Ice Ace Mammoths and Mastodons” (Las Vegas Natural History Museum) Arts & Media Funding for works which have artistic and historical merit and appeal to an informed general audience; and which might not even come into being without grant funding; and represent a contribution without which, the community would be the poorer. All media types may be considered and works may be portable, permanently affixed or incorporated into the design and or function of a public space or building related to the area’s historic role in the community and/or its significance to a particular group or neighborhood in the city. Examples of previously funded projects include: Bradley Giles Painting (Friends of the Fort) Helen J. Stewart Statue (Friends of the Fort) Historical Photo Exhibit (Las Vegas Springs Preserve) The documentary film, “The City of Las Vegas: The Early Years” (Boyd Productions) Six school murals showcasing the history of aviation (Air Force Association –Thunderbird Chapter)Eligible Expenses:The repair or rehabilitation of historic properties, buildings and/or structures The removal of incompatible or non-historic features on historic properties, buildings and /or structures. Planning documents related to restorations of historic properties, buildings and/or structures (architectural and/or engineering drawings, research and/or feasibility studies, documentation of work in progress) Costs associated with producing and running an event commemorating the history of Las Vegas Costs associated with producing educational materials commemorating the history of Las Vegas Costs associated with producing public outreach & awareness materials commemorating the history of Las Vegas Costs associated with producing works of art, literature and/or media material (print, audio, visual) that commemorate the history of Las Vegas Project Personnel (salaries not to exceed $30/hour)

Ineligibility

Ineligible Expenses:Landscape improvements Mileage Per diems Benefits Mortgage notes, insurance policies and so forth Planning costs/internal meetings Food and beverage Furnishings or anything that can be easily removed from the building. Examples include curtains, speaker systems, chairs, tables, etc. Expenses incurred prior to grant application Governmental fees Legal, financing, leasing fees and/or expenses Purchase or repair of tools and equipment Taxes, delinquent loans and/or fines Sprinkler/fire suppression systems Interior work Paint, landscaping, hardscaping, fencing, lighting, furniture or signage HVAC, plumbing, electrical, work required for ADA compliance, security or alternative energy systems Building Additions