State Historical Fund: Competitive Mini Grant

The State Historical Fund: Competitive Mini Grant, administered by History Colorado, supports heritage preservation projects that demonstrate public benefit across Colorado. Established through a constitutional amendment in 1990, the fund has awarded over $315 million through nearly 4,800 grants. This program prioritizes projects that meet established historic preservation standards, offering financial support for various eligible initiatives, including those benefiting BIPOC communities, while maintaining stringent guidelines on ineligible expenses.

About History Colorado
History Colorado's State Historical Fund fosters heritage preservation through tangible and highly visible projects for direct and demonstrable public benefit. A 1990 constitutional amendment legalizing gambling in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek created the State Historical Fund. The amendment mandates that a portion of gaming tax revenue goes to the State Historical Fund to fund historic preservation projects throughout Colorado. The Limited Gaming Act of 1991 (CRS 44-30-1201), authorizes History Colorado to administer the State Historical Fund as a statewide grants program.
History Colorado's State Historical Fund fosters heritage preservation through tangible and highly visible projects for direct and demonstrable public benefit. A 1990 constitutional amendment legalizing gambling in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek created the State Historical Fund. The amendment mandates that a portion of gaming tax revenue goes to the State Historical Fund to fund historic preservation projects throughout Colorado. The Limited Gaming Act of 1991 (CRS 44-30-1201), authorizes History Colorado to administer the State Historical Fund as a statewide grants program.
In 2020, 30 years after the start of the State Historical Fund, a total of 4,743 grants have been awarded, contributing $315,892,480, in all 64 Colorado counties.
Competitive Grants
Competitive Grants provides funds for the built environment, archaeology, and education or training related to historic preservation. All competitive projects must meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Properties and abide by the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office’s Survey Manual, if applicable.
Mini grants
Mini grant applications are reviewed by 4 History Colorado staff members who discuss all applications and recommend funding or non-funding based on the technical aspects, feasibility, and urgency of the project. A History Colorado leadership team reviews these recommendations for diversity of communities and geography and provide final approval.

Eligibility

BIPOC Projects: Cash Match: 0% for applicant organization with an annual operating budget of less than $250,000 and nonprofit/government owner, 5% for nonprofit/ government owner, and 10% for private owner.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Projects: A BIPOC project significantly benefits and involves one or more BIPOC communities.
Cash Match: 25% for nonprofit/government owner and 50% for private owner.

Ineligibility

Ineligible Expenses: Some projects, activities, and costs do not qualify for assistance and cannot be included in the project scope of work, budget, and/or cash match. The most common ineligible expenses include:Archaeological monitoring requirements omitted from the application scope and budget
Costs encumbered, contracted for, or incurred before receiving a fully executed grant award/agreement with the State Historical FundCosts of utilities outside the designated area
Costs to ensure the safe protection of historic collections and archives during stabilization,
preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, or reconstruction that exceed more than 5% of the State Historical Fund grant award.Entertainment costs and alcohol
Gifts, awards, and contributions
Grant administration above 15% of total direct project costs
Grant writing costs
Late fees or interest charged for delinquent payment of invoices
Moving or relocation costs for occupants
Purchase of equipment that costs more than $5,000 or more than the rental cost of the equipment during the projectSales and use tax expenses
Travel expenses above the State of Colorado travel rates specified in your Grant Award Exhibit B