South Carolina National Heritage Corridor Grant Program

The SC National Heritage Corridor, through a public, private partnership with the SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, will provide opportunities for communities and organizations to conserve and develop their historical, cultural, and natural assets so they many contribute to the sustainable economic revitalization of the Heritage Corridor.

 It is the mission of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor to promote development in the areas of conservation and preservation; education and interpretation; and nature-based recreation while serving economic development. 

·        Economic Development
Projects should have the potential for providing economic opportunities related to heritage tourism through public and private partnerships

·        Conservation and Preservation
Projects must help conserve the historical, cultural, and natural assets of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor  

·        Education and Interpretation
Projects should increase public awareness and appreciation of the historical, cultural, and natural assets of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor 

·        Nature-Based Recreation
Projects should enhance the potential of natural areas to provide environmental opportunities for nature-based tourism 
 

Developing, implementing, and maintaining a successful heritage tourism attraction is a long-term, complex process and involves many features.  In order to assist communities and organizations in preparing a program that will benefit the existing residents and attract visitors to the area, grants will be made available in the following two categories.  Applicants may submit grant proposals in multiple grant cycles, however total grant awards may not exceed $60,000 per location. 

Category I: PLANNING/IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
This grant category provides funding to communities and organizations that have a heritage tourism plan and wish to implement a historical, cultural, or natural heritage tourism attraction, activity or event. 

A)      Planning: provides funding to communities and organizations who have inventoried their community’s historical, cultural, and natural assets and are interested in utilizing professional facilitation to develop a heritage tourism plan or fully develop a product development concept
 B)      Product Development : provides funding for the development, conservation, and implementation of historical, cultural, and natural heritage tourism attractions or appropriate activities and events

Category II: MARKETING GRANTS 

A community or organization holding a tax-exempt status from the IRS or a letter of agreement to apply through an organization that has tax-exempt status. “Organization” may involve units of federal, state or local government; a federally recognized Indian tribe; academic institutions; or non-profit organizations collaborating in partnership with a community located within the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor. All applicants must be able to meet the matching funds requirement specified below. All projects are subject to applicable federal laws, including but not limited to NEPA, NAGPRA, ADA, and NHPA- 106 Review through the South Carolina's State Historic Preservation Office. Supporting documentation may be required to ensure sufficient compliance to federal and state regulations.

Funds may be used for technical assistance including but not limited to feasibility studies (engineering, architecture and marketing); interpretation, museum exhibits, marketing, displays based on historical research and artifacts, conservation and preservation, agricultural heritage programs, interpretive programs, and nature-based recreation. Projects that directly impact the visitor experience and that demonstrate a high degree of sustainability will be given greater consideration. Support will be considered for cultural, ethnic, arts and recreation programs to the extent that they highlight the themes of the SCNHC. 

Due to the competitive nature of the SCNHC grant program, a project is limited to $60,000 in grant awards.  

Eligible projects must be physically located within at least one of the 14 designated South Carolina counties within the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor: Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, Oconee, Orangeburg, and Pickens.
 

Grant applicants must provide a dollar for dollar, 50/50 reimbursable cash match to the grant request. For example, if the total proposed project budget is $20,000, the organization may request $10,000 in grant funds and must provide an additional cash match of $10,000. This match must come from funds other than federal money, such as state, local, and/or private funds. Each grant applicant must demonstrate a dollar-for-dollar cash match and provide legible invoices or receipts for all project expenses before payment will be distributed. It will also be necessary to submit copies of cancelled checks (front and back) to earn reimbursement. Partial reimbursement may be given for grants exceeding $2,500 before the project is completed, according to an agreed upon payment schedule.
 

May 15
October 15

Intent to Apply Applications are Due:

April 3
September 3

All applications must be received by the SCNHC Director of Marketing and Field Services by 5:00 P.M. on or before the due date. In the event the deadline falls on a weekend, the grants must be received by the following Monday at noon.

Elizabeth Harm
Director of Marketing and Field Services
208 Archdale Drive
Aiken, SC 29803
(803) 644-6733
(Cell) 608-0501
EHarm@scprt.com


List of Previously Funded Projects