Mercer County History Regrant Program:

Mercer County's Cultural and Heritage Commission offers grants through its annual History Regrant program, a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission's County History Partnership Program (CHPP) and the Commission. General Operating (GOS) and Special Projects (SP) grants are available to county-based organizations to support historical organizations and history programming. GOS grants are available only to non-profit historical sites and groups. SP grants are available to non-profit community organizations, local government entities, schools, higher education institutions, and libraries offering programming and events related to local, county, or New Jersey state history. See the History Regrant Guidelines for additional information on eligibility requirements. 

The FY26 History Regrant Program Application closed on August 29, 2025. Stay tuned for the FY27 Application. 

• FY26 History Regrant Guidelines
  

To apply to any upcoming C&H grant, organizations must sign in or create an account with our Online Grant Portal. 

2026 Mercer County 250th Implementation Mini-Grant Program: 

Accepting Applications: March 2 - April 17, 2026 (extended from original April 3 deadline)

The Mercer County 250th Implementation Mini-Grant Program provides $500 to $2,000 to eligible Mercer County nonprofit organizations to support the implementation of programs, projects, or events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence as part of the America250 initiative. The funding is intended to bring well-developed ideas to life or strengthen efforts already in progress, contributing to a dynamic countywide calendar of commemorative activities.

Funds must be used between January 1 and December 31, 2026, and may only cover direct implementation expenses such as event production, speakers, marketing, educational materials, accessibility accommodations, or related program costs. Funds cannot be used for general operating expenses, regular programs, or to pay staff, board members, or volunteers. Applicants must meet the basic Mercer County History Regrant eligibility requirements and submit a detailed 1–2 page narrative explaining the project, timeline, supervisor, anticipated outcomes, and a clear breakdown of how each requested dollar will be spent. Non-history organizations are eligible to apply, but must engage a qualified historian as part of their project in order to be considered for funding.

Download the full guidelines and application at the link below: 

• 2026 Mercer County 250th Implementation Mini-Grant Program (Guidelines & Application) 

*NOTE: mini-grant applications are submitted via email and mail, NOT through the Mercer County Cultural & Heritage online grant portal. 

Mercer County Special 250th Planning Mini-Grant:  

The Mercer County Special 250th Planning Mini-Grant Program ended in 2024. 

In 2021, the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage announced a special “250th Planning Mini-Grant” available to Mercer County based not-for-profit history sites, societies and organizations. The grants were to be used exclusively to initiate or support first steps in planning for your organization’s participation in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding in 2026.  
 
Our County and communities played a critical part in our nation's founding, and we are committed to making sure that Mercer County is well represented in the national profile of this anniversary celebration. The Division encourages local history organizations and sites to begin strategizing creative, meaningful ways to commemorate this important anniversary.   
 
Funds for this special 250th Planning Mini-Grant may only be used for initiatives that further the organization’s planning and preparation for the 250th anniversary. They may not be used for any regular programs or for general administrative support. These funds may only be used to engage outside experts to assist in researching, cataloguing, planning or otherwise preparing your organization/site to participate in the 250th celebration. Funds may not be used to pay or reimburse regular staff, volunteers or board members of applicant organization.  

For more information about the Mercer County's History Re-Grant program or other Mini-Grants, email Chelsey Johnstone at cjohnstone@mercercounty.org