Ohio History Fund Grants

Ohio History Fund Grants

Overview: 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Digitization and preservation of historical documents and photographs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