The New Jersey Historical Commission board has approved $5.2 million in fiscal year 2026 grant funding benefiting 93 historical organizations, museums, historic sites, archives, libraries, individuals, and county re-grant agencies in all 21 counties as the state gears up to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026.
The $5.2 million in funding will support the New Jersey Historical Commission’s general operating support, which covers an array of operational expenses for qualified history organizations; projects and co-sponsored projects, which includes New Jersey-based historical research, exhibits, programs, and archival work; and the County History Partnership Program, which provides all 21 counties with funding for local history groups statewide.
The funding takes on even greater importance as the state’s history community plans and prepares programming for the upcoming America 250th commemoration in 2026.
“From promoting civic engagement, expanding economic vitality, and broadening the knowledge of the state’s exceptional cultural resources, this funding strengthens that commitment by providing critical support to advance awareness of New Jersey’s past,” noted Lt. Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the NJHC in her role as secretary of state.
In fiscal year 2024, history organizations that received $2.9 million in general operating support funding alone leveraged nearly $29 million in total spending, generated more than $32 million in total income, offered on-and-off-site programs to about 2 million people (including more than 300,000 K-12 students), and supported 700 full- and part-time jobs statewide.
“This funding is not only critical for the state’s history organizations and their work, but for newer initiatives and partnerships as well,” said Sara Cureton, executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission. “This includes the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail and the ongoing work of the RevolutionNJ collaboration ahead of the 250th. It will encourage grantees to continually attract new and diverse audiences, connect history to contemporary issues, and lay the groundwork for long-term growth and sustainability.”
The New Jersey Historical Commission’s grant programs are determined through an independent, third-party peer review process. All funding is made possible by a portion of the revenue produced by the state’s Hotel/Motel Tax legislation.
