LATINOS IN HERITAGE CONSERVATION

GRANT PROGRAM

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC) is committed to supporting a strong, national movement for Latinx heritage preservation. To further this mission, we are excited to introduce the first-of-its-kind grant program exclusively dedicated to funding Latinx heritage and historic preservation projects. With $600,000 in annual funding, this groundbreaking initiative is designed to empower grassroots, Latinx-focused nonprofit organizations and community groups working tirelessly to protect and uplift Latinx history and cultural contributions across the United States.

Through this inclusive, equity-centered grant program, LHC is committed to elevating a diverse range of projects by prioritizing organizations and communities historically left out of traditional funding opportunities. To ensure greater accessibility, we provide resources like Spanish-language application materials and personalized support so that our stories and legacies can endure for future generations.

The LHC Grant Program is made possible by the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, in partnership with the Social Impact Fund, which has dedicated $1.8 million to the program over three years.

HONORING DIVERSE VOICES IN PRESEVATION

At LHC, we understand and deeply respect the diversity of Latinx experiences across the United States. We recognize that Latinx identity is rich and varied, shaped by unique customs, cultural practices, and regional or personal preferences for identifying labels. Whether you use the term Latino, Latinx, Latine, Hispanic, or another descriptor, such as Chicano/a or Tejano/a, we encourage you to apply.

This grant program was created to empower and fund all Latinx communities in preserving their heritage. We honor this diversity and welcome everyone to share their stories and projects, ensuring that no voice is left unheard. In your application, you can indicate your preferred term, as we strive to communicate in a way that reflects your identity and respects your choice.

GRANT GUIDELINES

We offer $5,000 to $100,000 in grant funds to non-profit, Latinx led organizations in the continental United States and Puerto Rico doing grassroots work related to the conservation of Latinx heritage and culture. This round of grant funding will have a special focus in the Borderlands region, as defined below, but we are accepting applications from throughout the country.

Borderlands Definition

Nonprofits from across the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico are welcome to apply. While the program is open to all, it will place a special emphasis on organizations located in the Borderlands region, including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. This region stands out for its rich tapestry of Indigenous, Mexican, and American cultural influences. Despite its pivotal role in shaping American history, preservation efforts in the Borderlands have frequently been overlooked. This program aims to change that by bringing much-needed attention and support to these communities.
Your Organization:

501(c)(3) nonprofit

This includes community groups, museums, cultural centers, historic preservation groups, historic sites, historical societies, etc.

Can be a fiscally sponsored project.

Latinx led and/or serving organization

We do not fund local, state, tribal, or federal agencies. We do not fund schools or school districts.

Eligible, non-profit applicants can partner with these groups, but the non-profit must lead the project.

These funds are intended for grassroots organizations and community-driven initiatives that lack sustained financial support. We prioritize applicants with annual operating budgets that are below $500,000. Staff size and other operating parameters will also be considered.

Applications from organizations with budgets that exceed $500,000 are still eligible and will be considered.

Your Project:

This grant offers different levels of financial support for projects in four categories: Capital Projects, Consultanting Services and Training, Project Planning, and Programming & Interpretation. You can only apply in one category and your request amount must fall in the listed range for that category.

Capital Projects ($50,000 - $100,000): Grants for the physical preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of significant Latinx historic and cultural sites. Revenue generating properties are also eligible.

Examples: Emergency stabilization such as replacing a roof, conserving historic bricks on the exterior of a building, and adaptive reuse

Consultant Services & Training ($15,000 - $25,000): Funding to help with capacity building in your organization, which includes strengthening operational and managerial skills in areas like board training, fundraising plans, grant writing, and historic preservation best practices. This also includes hiring fellows for project development.

Examples: Hiring consultants for strategic planning, business plan creation, development plans, and board training.

Project Planning ($20,000 - $30,000): Financial support for the development of essential planning, technical, and preservation documents needed for successful historic preservation projects.

Examples: Hiring an architecture to provide architectural documents for an upcoming rehabilitation project or hiring a historic preservationist to conduct historical research on your site.

Programming & Interpretation ($5,000 - $20,000): Grants for the creation of educational programs, workshops, and interpretive materials that deepen public understanding and appreciation of Latinx heritage and history.

Examples: A local history exhibit; online/digital resources or archives; oral history projects; educational workshops.

Grant Period:

A grant period is the time frame when a grant's funds can be used, as specified in the grant's award notice or contract. The earliest your proposed project's grant period can begin is May 2025.

It will be a one-year grant period for projects in the Consultant Services and Training, Project Planning, and Programming & Interpretation categories. Applicants in the Capital Project category will be asked to choose between one or two years.

This grant does not fund:

General operating support, including staff salaries

Operational or indirect/overhead costs

Conference related expenses

Food, beverage, and entertainment costs

Acquisition of property

Expenses incurred prior to the grant award date

Mortgages

Debt repayment

Taxes

LHC staff reserves the right to make additions to this list, as is needed.
Criteria

We fund our grants through a competitive process. Reviewers with expertise in this field will evaluate your project based on the following criteria. You can see the scoring matrix on this document.

Emphasis on Equity

Latinos in Heritage Conservation is committed to fostering equity and inclusivity in heritage preservation. This grant program is specifically designed to provide funding to Latinx organizations that have historically been left out of traditional funding opportunities. Our goal is to dismantle structural and racial inequities, systemic injustices, and the exclusionary practices often found in conventional grant processes.

To achieve this, we incorporate demographic questions that help inform our review process and scoring rubric. This allows us to prioritize applicants based on factors such as geographic location, operating budget, the communities they engage with, and the audiences they serve. By focusing on these key areas, we create space for a diverse range of grassroots, community-driven initiatives and nonprofits to receive the support they need and deserve.

Timeline

Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

Application Review Period: February-March 2025

Grant Awards Announced: April 2025
We encourage you to reach out to us using the contact information provided at the top of this page before starting your application. Our dedicated team is here to help you assess whether your project aligns with the goals of the LHC Grant Program. From answering your initial questions to providing guidance throughout the entire process, we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way to make your application journey smooth and successful.

Webinar Information

Grant Application Opens: November 14, 2024

Grant Information Webinar (English): November 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. CST

Join us for an overview of the Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC) Grant Program! This webinar will cover the key details of the grant, including eligibility, funding categories, and how to apply for up to $100,000 in support. Whether you're working to preserve historic sites, create educational programs, or strengthen your organization's skills, this session will help you understand how the LHC Grant Program can support your project to promote and preserve Latinx heritage.
REGISTER HERE

Grant Information Webinar (Spanish): November 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. CST

¡Únete a nosotros para conocer el Programa de Fondos de Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC)! Esta sesión en línea compartirá los detalles clave sobre los fondos disponibles, incluyendo los requisitos de elegibilidad, las categorías de financiamiento y el proceso para solicitar hasta $100,000 en apoyo. Ya sea que estés trabajando en la protección de sitios históricos, desarrollando programas educativos o fortaleciendo las capacidades de tu organización, esta sesión te ayudará a entender cómo el Programa de Fondos de LHC puede apoyar tu proyecto para promover y preservar la herencia latina.
REGÍSTRATE AQUÍ

Grant Writing 101 Online Workshop (English/Spanish): December 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. CST

Join us for a Grant Writing Workshop, a helpful webinar designed to guide you through the basics of writing a successful grant application. Whether you're new to grant writing or looking to strengthen your skills, this session will provide practical tips and strategies to help you craft a compelling application for the Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC) Grant Program. Learn how to clearly present your project, budget, and goals to increase your chances of securing funding.
REGISTER HERE/REGÍSTRATE AQUÍ

Grants for Preservation Projects Webinar (English/Spanish): December 12, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. CST

Join us for Grants for Preservation Projects, a webinar about two grant categories: Capital Projects Grants for the physical preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of significant Latinx cultural sites, and Project Planning Grants to support the development of essential planning, technical, and preservation documents. We'll cover eligibility, real-world examples, and best practices for both categories. Whether you're looking to plan or implement a preservation project, this session will provide the insights needed to successfully apply for funding to protect Latinx heritage sites.
REGISTER HERE/REGÍSTRATE AQUÍ

Grants for Education Projects Webinar (English/Spanish): December 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. CST

Join us for Grants for Education Projects, a webinar focused on the Programming & Interpretation project category that funds educational programs, workshops, and interpretive materials that promote Latinx heritage and history. We’ll cover eligibility, project examples, and tips for applying for funding to support initiatives like local history exhibits, digital resources, oral history projects, and educational workshops. Learn how to secure funding to create impactful programs that deepen public understanding of Latinx culture and history.
REGISTER HERE/REGÍSTRATE AQUÍ
Submittable

You will submit your application via Submittable.

To create your account:

Go to https://manager.submittable.com/signin

Click the Sign-Up link.

Enter your email address, first and last names, and a display name.

Enter your password.

Click the button to send a verification email to yourself.

Enter the code from the email.

Once your account is made, follow this link to apply to the LHC Grant Program.

More helpful resources can be found here: https://submittable.help/en/collections/185534-help-for-applicants.

Budget

As part of your grant application, you will need to provide a budget of estimated costs associated with your proposed project. Here is a template.

Please provide a general description for each budget category (examples: restoration/rehabilitation, special event/seminar, archeology, classroom/public education, artifact preservation/restoration, museum program/ exhibit) then fill in expenses and indicate where LHC funds would be applied. Use blank spaces for expenses that fall outside of existing categories.

Support Materials

Support materials in a grant application refer to additional documents, data, or evidence beyond the main proposal narrative that are used to substantiate your project's need, feasibility, and impact. The LHC Grant Program application asks for the materials listed below and we recommend you begin collecting this documentation early in the application process.

Required for all categories:

Project Budget: Please use this template.

Articles of incorporation for non-profit

Proposals from relevant contractors/consultants (if contractors/consultants are part of the project)

Photographs that showcase the area in which your project will happen. Can be photographs of historic structures, community events, past exhibits, etc. (No more than five)

Optional:

Strategic Plan

Architectural designs

Architectural vision boards

PowerPoint Presentations

Sample Applications

Application Template LHC Grant
Contracts and Payment

If your project is selected for funding, LHC staff will work with you to create a contract that defines a specific scope of services. The contract establishes deliverables, sets a timeline, and governs project evaluation and the payment of funds. All award recipients must sign the standard contracts in a timely fashion to secure award funds.

If your award amount is $50,000 or under, you will get a full payment at the start of the project.

If your award amount is over $50,000, payment will be made in two disbursements. You will receive the first half at the start of your project. You will be required to meet with LHC staff prior to requesting the second payment to ensure adequate progress is being made.

Historic Preservation

Latinos in Heritage Conservation defines Historic Preservation or Conservación, as a diverse discipline committed to recognizing and safeguarding culture and history. Over time, Latinx communities have preserved their homelands, family stories, cultural traditions, heritage, and sacred sites, contributing to our collective legacy.

Traditional Historic Preservation involves protecting historic buildings, archeology, public lands, the environment, artifacts, and cultural traditions significant in our shared history. For Latinxs and our communities, at its core, historic preservation honors and sustains elements shaping our cultural heritage, and Latinidad.

Preservationists identify and protect sites of historical and cultural importance using research, documentation, and restoration techniques. Beyond physical conservation, historic preservation interprets, and shares stories embedded in these places, fostering an understanding of people and their lived experiences. It intersects with public history, affordable housing, economic development, and policy-making, among others, creating a balance between progress and protecting our heritage for future generations.

If a proposed project would affect an historic property that is listed on or eligible for historic designation, then the applicant will be required to show that their project complies with all applicable local laws and regulations as outlined in the city's local historic preservation ordinances, and often The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. This may include project reviews, approvals, permits, monitoring, mitigation, adherence to standards or other conditions required by public policy.

Reporting and Communication

All recipients of LHC grant funds are expected to stay in close contact with LHC staff throughout all stages of your project. We are here to help you succeed!

Some projects will require a mid-point check-in, and at the end of the grant period, all grantees will write a Final Report that summarizes the project's goals, accomplishments, challenges, and lessons learned. This is also where you will account for how grant funds were spent and evaluate the project results.