Ohio History Fund Grants

Program Type: Competitive matching grants program

Geographic Scope: Ohio statewide

Funding Source: Funded through Ohio taxpayers' voluntary contributions via "Ohio History Fund" selection on Ohio state income tax returns (one of six tax check-off funds)

Program History:

• Started in 2012
• As of 2024, has awarded 136 total grants totaling more than $1.4 million
• 2023 awarded $185,624 in grants (12 grants)
• 2024 awarded $187,600 in grants (14 grants)

Focus Areas:

• Historic preservation projects
• Museum collections improvement and preservation
• Archaeological collection preservation
• Building restoration and stabilization
• Digitization of historical materials and newspapers
• Artifact storage and climate control
• Accessibility improvements to historic sites
• Educational programming related to local history
• Window restoration
• Masonry and structural repairs

What They Fund:

• Collections management and storage improvements
• Historic building restoration and repair
• Museum accessibility upgrades
• Digitization and archival projects
• Educational programs in historic settings
• Material conservation

Eligibility:

• Local history and cultural organizations
• Community history organizations
• Museums
• Historical societies
• Matching grants program (requires local match)

Contact Information:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 614-297-2300 or 800-686-6124
• Address: 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211
• Manager of Media and Public Relations: Neil Thompson (614-917-9348 or [email protected])

Standards & Guidelines:

• Projects guided by Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
• Professional oversight required for many projects
• Focus on sustainable and climate-appropriate solutions

Example Recent Recipients (2024):

• American Sign Museum, Cincinnati: $7,804
• Alliance Area Preservation Society, Alliance: $12,700
• Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens: $19,000
• Mahoning Valley Historical Society, Youngstown: $19,000
• Medina County District Library, Medina: $18,723
• City of Niles: $18,981
• Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton: $3,552

Application Process

General Information:

• Competitive matching grants program
• Applications reviewed by panel of experts

Required Information (based on funded projects):

• Clear project description
• Specific materials and resources needed
• Detailed project timeline and steps
• Budget with cost breakdown
• Evidence of professional oversight or expertise (preservation professionals, historic architects, etc.)
• Adherence to Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties
• Local match requirement
• How project aligns with local history preservation goals

Application Standards:

• Applications should follow professional standards (e.g., National Digital Newspaper Program standards for digitization projects)
• Detailed specification of how work will follow accepted professional standards
• Documentation of historic preservation needs assessments when applicable

Contact for Application Details:

• Ohio History Connection State Historic Preservation Office
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: ohiohistory.org/historyfund
• Phone: 614-297-2300 or 800-686-6124