Ohio History Fund Grants

A competitive matching grants program funded through Ohio taxpayers' voluntary contributions via a "tax check-off" option on Ohio's income-tax return forms.

Program Status: Now in its 12th year (as of 2024). Since 2012, the program has awarded 136 grants totaling more than $1.4 million to history and cultural organizations across Ohio.

Geographic Scope: Ohio statewide

Funding Amount: 2024 awards totaled $187,600, distributed among 14 recipients. Individual grants ranged from $3,552 to $19,000.

Focus Areas:

• Historic preservation and restoration of buildings and structures
• Digitization and preservation of historical documents and photographs
• Collections consolidation and climate control for artifacts
• ADA accessibility improvements to historic properties
• Conservation of historic artifacts
• Educational programs related to local history
• Adaptive reuse of historic structures

Eligibility:

• Community history organizations
• Historical societies
• Museums and cultural institutions
• Government agencies (e.g., city/county governments, park districts, library districts)
• Educational institutions

What They Fund:

• Restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings (following Secretary of the Interior's Standards)
• Digitization projects (newspapers, photographs, documents)
• Collections management and preservation
• Climate control and infrastructure improvements
• ADA accessibility upgrades
• Conservation of artifacts and historic objects
• Educational and interpretive programs

What They Don't Fund: (Not explicitly stated in provided content)

Contact Information:

• Phone: 614.297.2300 or 800.686.6124
• Address: 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211
• Website: ohiohistory.org

Additional Requirements:

• Matching grant program (requires local match)
• Projects must align with Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Preservation
• Preference for well-planned, professionally-guided projects
• Projects at National Register-listed properties encouraged

Application Process

How to Apply:

1. Visit the Ohio History Connection website at ohiohistory.org
2. Navigate to "Ohio History Fund Grants" section
3. Access "Apply for a Grant" page

Required Materials/Information:

• Detailed project description and justification
• Budget and timeline
• Evidence of matching funds/local support
• Professional assessments (preservation needs assessments, architect reports, etc.)
• Organizational information and capacity
• Description of how project aligns with Secretary of the Interior's Standards

Application Details:

• Competitive application process
• Review by selection committee
• Selection committee includes Ohio History Connection staff and reviewers impressed by well-considered, detailed proposals with professional oversight

Selection Criteria:

• Project quality and planning
• Professional guidance and oversight
• Alignment with preservation standards
• Community benefit and impact
• Feasibility and realistic budgeting
• Organizational capacity

Timeline: Award announcements typically made in March (based on 2024 announcement date of March 1, 2024)