Fund Your Project
Help us help you!
We review grant applications on a yearly basis. Applications must be submitted through our Grant Portal by September 30th each year to be considered, and grant awards are announced after thorough review in late November or early December. The Grant Period begins January 1st of the following year, after signing a Grant Award Agreement. Grants must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the recipient.
Prospective grantees are encouraged to begin the process by submitting a Technical Assistance Request through our Grant Portal. Once we review the eligibility of your Request, we will contact you to arrange a sight visit. These initial assessments are free of charge and allow us to help guide you through the best way to proceed with your project. More information can be found on our Technical Assistance page, and we encourage you to apply for an assessment in the Winter months to allow us time to schedule a site visit with the appropriate expert in the Spring/Summer in advance of the September 30th deadline.
What follows are some general criteria on which we base our funding decisions. If you have any questions whatsoever, please see our FAQ page or reach out directly for assistance.
“A source of pride and inspiration , the restored Fremont County Courthouse will serve the people of St. Anthony for generations to come.”
Judge Keith Walker
ST. ANTHONY
Eligibility
Some basics on the types of projects we do and do not fund:
The Idaho Heritage Trust does fund projects for private or for-profit organizations, for public facing properties of historical importance. Examples may include the preservation of main street storefronts, exterior restoration of barns and agricultural buildings that enhance Idaho’s cultural landscape and/or scenic byways, or rehabilitation of an historic theater. Private residences are low priority. If the project is selected, a Preservation Easement will be a requirement of the grant award.
Work funded by IHT must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, or, in the case of archeological sites or museum collections, the applicable standards in those fields.
IHT prefers not to fund the relocation of historic buildings.
At this time, The Trust does not fund publications, video/film productions, oral histories, or applications for listing in the NRHP.
We do not fund work that is incompatible with the historic fabric of the building, nor do we fund the addition of mechanical systems such as central air or plumbing. IHT does not fund building of ADA ramps and bathrooms, however we can provide consultation for how to go about this.
Award Criteria
General guidelines we use when evaluating grant applications:
Projects must be for the preservation of sites and items of historical and cultural significance. Special consideration is given to projects on sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places and projects in communities of fewer than 5,000 people.
Strong community support and public participation are key to the long-term success of preservation projects.
IHT prioritizes projects that address imminent danger of decay, demolition, or irreparable harm due to neglect.
We weigh the lack of funding from other sources.
IHT prefers to fund groups that can commit to being stewards of the site or collection for the foreseeable future.
Grantee Responsibilities
Once your grant is awarded, you will be expected to adhere to the following:
To accept the grant award, you must return a signed grant agreement to IHT.
Matching grant funds from IHT may be used to reimburse costs directly associated to ‘brick & mortar’ restoration and preservation projects of historic buildings or artifacts. They may also be used for architectural and engineering plans for restoration (materials, labor, overhead, sales tax, etc.). For artifacts and collections, funds may go toward archival materials, expert analysis, and item restoration. For archaeology, funds may go toward testing and analysis.
Provide IHT with before and after photos for use on social media and other promotional purposes.
Your project must be completed and documented to IHT within three years of the grant award.
The grant funding is provided upon receipt of work complete and receipt of final report. We will reimburse 50% of the out-of-pocket costs up to the total grant award amount.
If the building is sold, unmaintained, or demolished within 5-10 years following the funding of the grant, the building owner shall reimburse IHT for the full amount of the grant award.
Grantee shall, at its expense, procure and maintain general liability insurance. A certificate of insurance shall be provided to the IHT prior to commencement of the Scope of Work.
State, County, City, and Privately Owned property owners shall procure and maintain worker’s compensation insurance as required by any applicable law or regulation.
Grantee shall keep the Property insured for the full replacement value against loss from the perils commonly insured under standard fire and extended coverage polices in such an amount to be sufficient to replace the fully the damaged property and buildings. IHT shall be named as an additional insured under such policy and a copy of the policy shall be provided to IHT upon completion of the Scope of Work.
Grantee shall indemnify and hold IHT harmless from any civil action or lawsuit resulting from the promotion, execution, or utilization of Grant Award, as it is understood that IHT is acting solely as a funding entity.
Grantee shall ensure that no demolition, removal, or waste of the property will be allowed following the completion of the Scope of Work funded with a Grant from IHT. If the Property is sold or demolished within a specified time-frame, Grantee shall guarantee the repayment in entirety of the Grant Award to IHT.
Grant Awards Amounts or the accumulation of Grant Award Amounts over ten (5) years equal to or greater than $10,000 in total shall require a 5-year minimum Preservation Easement amending the deed.
| STATE | COUNTY / CITY | PRIVATE | NONPROFIT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE | X | X | X | X |
| WORKER'S COMP INSURANCE | X | X | X | |
| STANDARD FIRE & EXTENDED COVERAGE POLICY OF INSURANCE | X | X | ||
| INDEMNIFICATION | X | X | X | |
| PRESERVATION EASEMENT >$10,000 | X | X |
PUBLIC RELATION OBLIGATIONS
Community engagement is one of the best ways to ensure your project’s long-term success. Our guidelines to capitalize on your newfound status as grant awardee are as follows:
We urge you to send a letter to the legislators in your district thanking them for their continued support of Idaho Heritage Trust and showing our impact on your project. You can find the names and local addresses of your legislators by visiting www.votesmart.org. A thank you template is provided for your convenience here.
Local press is a wonderful resource for raising awareness of your project, engendering public support, and promoting fundraising opportunities. Please write an article or press release about your project for your local newspaper acknowledging The Trust’s support and provide a copy or notice of publication to IHT’s office. A template for an effective news release is provided for your convenience here.
Through your organization’s Facebook page, ‘like’ the Idaho Heritage Trust’s business page and tag us when you share progress photos of your project. Keep your page up to date and post periodically about the progress on your project. https://www.facebook.com/idahoheritagetrust
This involves including the IHT logo on all flyers, posters, newsletters, and printed programs, as well as acknowledging The Trust’s support in all publicity pieces and press releases. Our branding guidelines and logos can be found here.
Please extend an invitation to IHT’s Trustees and Regional Representatives to any public events associated with receipt of our grant. We would appreciate if you included the Idaho Heritage Trust in your event’s welcoming remarks if appropriate.
This may seem like a tall task but know that we are available to assist you with any questions or concerns at every step of the process. We are here to help!
Award Amount
$5,000 - $15,000
No Limit to grant requests.
Requires a 1:1 cash match
‘The project must be completed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, or in the case of archaeological sites or collections, the applicable standards in those fields.’