Michigan History Alliance Grant Program

Michigan History Alliance Grant Program is sponsored by Historical Society of Michigan. Provides grants to member organizations for projects that preserve and interpret Michigan's history.

Michigan History Alliance® Grant Program | Historical Society of Michigan Michigan History Alliance® Grant Program A grant tailored to small- and medium-sized HSM member historical organizations. Financial assistance to limited budgets Calling all small HSM member historical organizations! The Historical Society of Michigan would like to help.

Are you a small- to medium-sized HSM member organization? Support your mission and local community with our Michigan History Alliance ® Grant Program. The grants are intended to provide funding for small- to medium-size history organizations in Michigan through straightforward applications and reporting.

Many grant programs require extensive preparation and reporting—so much so that smaller organizations have little realistic chance of seeing their proposals funded because they are competing with larger organizations with professional staffs of experienced grant writers. Moreover, many grant programs focus their funding on large, new programs, whereas smaller organizations often need money for more basic needs.

Applying for an MHA Grant should be simple enough that a volunteer can write it in a couple of hours. 2027 MHA Grant Application Form Applying for an MHA Grant Applications for the 2027 Michigan History Alliance Grant Program are now open! All nominations are due by 5 p.

m. ET on November 13, 2026. 2027 MHA Grant Application Form Not currently an HSM member organization?

Our member organization program is a wonderful way to network, receive support, and participate in an active community of historical organizations and programs throughout the state. Learn more about how to become an organizational member today! Organizational Memberships Applicants must be a certified IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit, city, or tribal history organization located in the state of Michigan.

Applicants must be an organizational member of the Historical Society of Michigan (HSM) and have been a member for at least one year prior to the grant application date. Applicant organizations must have an annual operating budget under $250,000. Applicant organizations can apply for no more than one grant per calendar year.

Applicant organizations may only receive a grant a maximum of once every three years. In other words, they are eligible to apply if they have not received an MHA Grant within the most recent two cycles.

A history organization located within a parent organization that is a state or local governmental or multipurpose not-for-profit entity—such as a municipality, university, historical society, foundation, or cultural center—may apply on its own behalf if the organization (1) is able to independently fulfill all the eligibility requirements listed above; (2) functions as a discrete unit within the parent organization; (3) has its own fully segregated and itemized operating budget; and (4) has the authority to complete the application on its own.

If these conditions cannot be met, the history organization is ineligible to apply. View the 2026 Award Recipients The results are in! Congratulations to the 26 grantees and to all who applied for the program.

The Historical Society of Michigan looks forward to offering more funds to more member organizations next year. Stay tuned to this space to view the 2027 Award Recipients to be announced soon! The 2026 Award Recipients Is my organization eligible to apply?

Your organization is eligible to apply if it meets the following requirements: Applicants must be a certified IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit, city, or tribal history organization located in the state of Michigan. Applicants must be an organizational member of the Historical Society of Michigan (HSM) and have been a member for at least one year prior to the grant application date.

Applicant organizations must have an annual operating budget under $250,000. Applicant organizations can apply for no more than one grant per calendar year. Applicant organizations must not have received an MHA Grant within the most recent two cycles.

A history organization located within a parent organization that is a state or local governmental or multipurpose not-for-profit entity—such as a municipality, university, historical society, foundation, or cultural center—may apply on its own behalf if the organization (1) is able to independently fulfill all the eligibility requirements listed above; (2) functions as a discrete unit within the parent organization; (3) has its own fully segregated and itemized operating budget; and (4) has the authority to complete the application on its own.

If these conditions cannot be met, the history organization is ineligible to apply. What documents are required for the application? Proof of IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit status.

City and tribal local history entities can provide alternate evidence of their status per the requirements above. Most recent IRS Form 990 indicating the organization receives less than $250,000 in annual revenue. City and tribal local history entities can provide alternate evidence of their status per the requirements above.

Grant cover sheet, which must include organization contact information, name and contact information for the person applying, amount requested, etc. A grant narrative of 1,000 to 1,500 words, written in 12-point type and double-spaced (about 3 pages). The narrative should provide a brief history of the organization and a description of how MHA Grant funds will be used to help the organization fulfill its mission.

To be frank—we want to know how much money you want and why you want it. Are there any restrictions? Yes, awardees are required to adhere to the following restrictions for grant use: Grant funds may not be used to create or augment endowments or to pay utilities, debts, existing staff, or other general operating expenses.

Granted funds must be spent within one calendar year of the award. Grant funds must be spent for the purposes described in the application. Any change in allocation of awarded grant funds must be approved in writing in advance by HSM or the funds must be returned.

Examples of permitted grant fund use: Repair/maintenance/restoration of buildings Consultant fees or special grant project staff Exhibit and educational program expenses Collections care, preservation, and conservation Who can I contact for help? For questions relating to the grant program, the Michigan History Alliance, or other concerns, please email our team at [email protected] or call (517) 324-1828.

Funding for the Michigan History Alliance Grant Program comes for the Historical Society of Michigan and Consumers Energy Foundation . Learn more about our sponsors and other opportunities for support on our Sponsor page. Reach out to us today at [email protected] or by calling (517) 324-1828.