Minor Heritage Grant (Plano, TX)

Minor Heritage Grant (Plano, TX) is a grant from City of Plano, TX that funds # FY 2025 -26 Minor Heritage Grant (Mi HG) The City of Plano offers grants for smaller -scale heritage projects and initiatives. This grant provides a maximum of $2,500 per eligible non - profit organization and funds may be used for initiatives such as historic tours/walks, historic cemetery repairs or similar project s/programs.

Eligible organizations must either be tax-exempt or have actively sought tax-exempt status from the IRS in the last fiscal year. Awards range up to Maximum $2,500, deadline 2026-05-04 00:00:00+00.

# FY 2025 -26 Minor Heritage Grant (Mi HG) The City of Plano offers grants for smaller -scale heritage projects and initiatives . This grant provides a maximum of $2,500 per eligible non - profit organization and funds may be used for initiatives such as historic tours/walks, historic cemetery repairs or similar project s/programs .

Funds to support this grant are generated from Plano's hotel occupancy tax (HOT) revenue; therefore, projects funded by the grant program must demonstrate how they will promote tourism in Plano and support Plano's hospitality industry. City of Plano Phone: 972 -941 -7151 www. historicplano.

org # HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM # MiHG Applicant Eligibility ➢ The organization must be non -profit under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(13) of the Internal Revenue Code and obtain a tax -exempt ruling letter, or be actively seeking tax -exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(13) of the Internal Revenue Code and pr ovide documentation of tax -exempt application submission.

➢ Agency’s proposed use of funds for projects /programs are located within City of Plano . ➢ Agency’s proposed projects /programs /downtown events will benefit the citizens of Plano as well as for those audiences and participants attracted through the agency’s broad marketing and promotion practices.

➢ Agency’s proposed projects/programs consist of historical programming, historic preservation advocacy, historic preservation/restoration projects, or downtown events and demonstrate relationship to these areas to promote heritage tourism and education within ➢ Agency has a history of continuous, stable programming for a minimum of twelve (12) months prior to the grant application due date.

➢ Agency has an active Board of Directors in compliance with IRS Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(13) that meets at least once per quarter and sets the policy of the agency. ➢ Agency has programming, administrative practices and board membership which are compliant with the City of Plano’s Equal Rights Ordinance.

➢ If agency was previously funded, agency successfully fulfilled all prior funding agreement ➢ Agency has the ability to produce valid documentation of all required documents listed wit hin the Required Documentation.

HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM # Program Summary: Goals, Review # Criteria, and Restrictions The City of Plano offers a heritage preservation grant to local nonprofit organizations that support heritage preservation, heritage tourism and heritage-related downtown events in Plano. This grant program and the amount of funds awarded are available as funds permit.

Grants are for approved expenses incurred within the City of Plano Fiscal Year, between October 1 and September 30 of the grant year. A. The Plano Heritage Commission's Mission Statement To preserve and promote the City of Plano’s heritage, thereby supporting and stimulating local business and strengthening the culture, prosperity, and welfare of Plano’s citizens and visitors.

B. Plano Heritage Commission Goals Goal #1 - Recognize, protect, and utilize historic landmarks, icons, and cultures. Goal #2 - Increase public awareness and civic pride about Plano’s historic past.

Goal #3 -Enhance commission members’ knowledge and understanding of heritage preservation. C. Collaborative Fundraising In recognition of the notable differences between available Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds and amounts of recent grant requests, the Heritage Commission respectfully requests that some or all of the prospective applicants work together to develop a joint grant writing and fundraising program.

The commission recognizes that most preservation organizations do not have the resources to devote to an active ongoing fundraising effort.

Consideration of applications for financial support in all categories will be cumulatively weighted using all three (3) criteria below: Administrative & Fiscal Responsibility - 25% Heritage Tourism/Public Education - 50% Heritage/Historic Preservation Merit - 25% Administrative and Fiscal Responsibility (25%) • Evidence of growth, fiscal responsibility and vision (as shown by such things as increasing private sector sponsorships and/or memberships, new sources of funding, on- time submission of quarterly reports to City of Plano for past grants, etc.).

• Ability to deliver programs, projects or services within the grant year. • Realistic budget proposal, as evidenced by a funding request proportionate to the City of Plano Planning Department 1520 K Avenue, Suite 250 Plano, TX 75074 Phone: 972-941-7151 www. historicplano.

org • Evidence of financial support from both private and other public sources. • Leadership of staff, which can be measured by continual growth and a corresponding growth of audiences, participants and constituents. Heritage Tourism/Public Education (50%) • Projects/programs or downtown events that promote heritage tourism within Plano and support Plano’s hospitality industry.

• System to track and quantify visitors from outside of Plano that come to view/participate in the organizations heritage projects or programs. • Efforts to reach and attract new audiences through programming, services, and education that promote heritage education. • Promotion of Plano as a historic center within the community, throughout the State of Texas, and beyond.

• Organized plan or methodology for education of the community. • Measurable, ongoing efforts to involve individuals of different ethnic heritages. Heritage/Historic Preservation Merit (25%) • Activities/events that promote creativity, quality, and excellence in historic preservation/restoration.

• Innovation and creativity in programming, services, exhibits, capital projects. • Activities that further the Heritage Commission’s goals and objectives. • In addition to the use and limitation restrictions found in Texas Tax Code Chapter 351, specifically section 351.

101, the City of Plano will not fund the following: • Reduction of deficits from or expenditures related to activities of previous fiscal years, unless specifically approved by the City. • Activities in which academic credit is given. • Mortgage interest and depreciation on real property.

• Capital outlays and that do not meet the definition of heritage projects. • Scholarships and fellowships for employees and/or volunteers. • Social functions, parties, receptions, openings, fundraising benefits, refreshments, or beverages, unless specifically approved by the city.

• Fines, penalties, or costs of litigation. City of Plano Planning Department 1520 K Avenue, Suite 250 Plano, TX 75074 Phone: 972-941-7151 www. historicplano.

org • Underwriting or subscriptions, investments, stocks, bonds or any financial obligation. • Legal fees, out of pocket medical expenses, and moving expenses. • Funds for approved heritage projects that are not completed within the grant year.

• Beginning FY2024-25, all future Operations and Maintenance (O/M) costs will be categorized as Administrative Costs, except for the previously allocated O/M funds to the Heritage Farmstead Museum (HFM) - $330,000 and the Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation (PCHP) - $145,000. Both, HFM and PCHP will retain their respective O/M funds and their current structure.

They will continue to request and document these set aside fixed amounts as O/M funds because both organizations are unique, as the City of Plano owns both Heritage Landmark properties. Although included in the grant application, these O/M funds will be set-aside and no longer require a recommendation from the Heritage Commission to the City Council.

HFM and PCHP are eligible to request additional Administrative Costs as defined in the glossary of terms document. • The downtown events heritage grant (DEHG) funding is limited to 25% of the organizations most recently completed fiscal year’s expenditures.

The DEHG is designated for community-led heritage events in historic downtown, with applicants required to submit a single final report within 60 calendar days of the funded event’s conclusion. • The minor heritage grant (MiHG) provides a maximum of $2,500 per eligible organization, which must either be tax-exempt or have actively sought tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the last fiscal year.

After two years of MiHG funding, an organization must acquire 501(c)(3) status. An organization may only receive the MiHG twice, whether the grant is awarded in consecutive years or with a gap of any period in between. Grant recipients are required to submit only a single final report.

• Within a grant fiscal year, organizations can apply for only one of the following grants: Major Heritage Grant, Minor Heritage Grant, or Downtown Events Heritage Grant. • The emergency heritage grant fund (EHGF) is reserved for urgent heritage-related needs, such as repair damages caused due to natural events such as tornadoes, floods, fires, hail, lightning, earthquakes, hurricanes, and windstorms.

Unlike other grant types, the EHGF does not follow the fiscal year heritage grant calendar. It is available year-round until the allocated funds are exhausted. Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to Heritage Commission approval.

Grant recipients are required to submit only a single final report. NOTE : Grants to an agency will generally not increase by more than 25% of the agency’s previous fiscal year’s expenditures minus the above-restricted expenses. Under unusual circumstances and needs, supported by very detailed and complete documentation, exceptions to the 25% limit may be requested by an applicant agency.

Exceptions will only be recommended by a 2/3 favorable majority vote of the Heritage Commission. City of Plano Phone: 972 -941 -7151 www. historicplano.

org # HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM 1. Validation of Application Form 2. Balance Sheet and Statement of Income , including Budgeted Expenses from your most recently completed fiscal year.

O r Form 990 as filed with the U.S. Internal Revenue Services for the two most recently ended fiscal years. 3. Heritage Project/Program Description and Questions 4.

Schedule of Board of Directors meetings for the period of October 1 through September 30 of the previous city fiscal year. Board of Directors meetings must occur at least once per 5. Proof of the occurrence of the previous year's meetings.

6. Names and titles of the agency’s board of directors. 7.

Resumes of principal staff and existing or potential job descriptions. 8. The organization must be non -profit under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(13) of the Internal Revenue Code and obtain a tax -exempt ruling letter, or be actively seeking tax -exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(13) of the Internal Revenue Code and pr ovide documentation of tax -exempt application submission.

9. Certificate of Account Status from the State Comptroller's Offic e proving current status to be in good and “active” standing. A certif icate may be obtained online at https://mycpa.

cpa. state. tx.

us/coa/search. do 10. Articles of Incorporation, if applicable.

11. Organization Constitution and/or By -Laws. 12.

If the requested grant funds are used for operations/activities on city -owned property, the Organization must provide a Certificate of Insurance for liability coverage as outlined in the Insurance Requirement document. 13. Returning grant recipients must provide a copy of the organization's most recent quarterly report including promotional items, publicity, articles and reviews.

New grant applicants must provide a summary of past projects and preservation efforts. 14. Expense Summary for total requested grant projects.

15. Income Summary for total requested grant projects. 16.

Optional Supporting Documentation - This should be additional relevant material that you wish to append that further explains the activities of your organization such as: Photographs, exhibits, workshops, capital project and/or other activities. HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM # Application Review & Funding Approval Process ## APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS A.

On the Interview Day indicated on the attached grant calendar, the Heritage Commission will interview each applicant. The interview will consist of a fifteen (15) minute applicant presentation followed by a question-and-answer period. At the request of the applicant, the Heritage Commission Chair may grant additional presentation time.

Returning grant recipients must include in their presentations a summary of ongoing grant projects and grant projects completed from the past 18 months. New grant applicants will be expected to include in their presentations the objectives of their organization and a brief summary of past projects and preservation efforts.

Also, representatives of applicant organizations should be prepared to answer any and all questions based upon its application. The interview is MANDATORY, and representatives of applicant organizations must be present. B.

The Heritage Commission will present its recommendations for grants funding to the Plano City Council for final review and approval. It is MANDATORY for the grant recipients to be present at this meeting. C.

Once the Plano City Council has approved the funding of a grant, the applicant will be advised by a letter, which will include the terms of the funding agreement. The funding agreement must be signed and returned along with all required exhibits and attachments to the Heritage Preservation Officer (HPO) by October 31 of the grant application year.

## FUNDING DECISION ANNOUNCEMENT Announcement of the funding decisions will be made no later than September 30 of the grant year. The estimated timing for the disbursement of funds will be announced at that time. The City reserves the right to establish certain requirements for awarding grant funding.

Funds will be made available after the applicant has accepted, signed and returned the funding agreement to the City of Plano. No funds will be available before October 1 of the grant year. Funds may be distributed in three partial payments during the grant year.

Account status from the State Comptroller’s Office establishing that the applicant organization is “in good standing” must be verified by city staff prior to each dispersal of funds. If the organization is found “not in good standing” the funds will be withheld. City of Plano Planning Department 1520 K Avenue, Suite 250 Plano, TX 75074 Phone: 972-941-7151 www.

historicplano. org ## REQUIREMENTS IN THE EVENT OF FUNDING APPROVAL If the agency is selected for funding, the agency must: B. Maintain grant funds in a separate bank account established for that purpose and may not commingle grant funds with any other money or maintain it in any other bank account.

C. Provide free admission to its programs/events for two Commissioner Liaisons through the Heritage Preservation Officer, City of Plano Planning Department, P. O.

Box 860358, Plano, TX, 75086. Commissioner liaison assignments shall change on a regularly rotating basis. D.

Provide the Commission with two weeks’ advance notice of events and meetings through the Heritage Preservation Officer and/or place the City’s Heritage Preservation Officer on the agency’s mailing list for newsletters, invitations, or other communications that detail a schedule of activities and programs. E.

Use the grant funds within the Grant Year or return the unused funds to the City of Plano by December 31 of the following Grant Year, or within three months of any extension. ## GRANT AGREEMENT SIGNING All grant recipient organizations are required to complete funding agreement signing facilitated by the Heritage Preservation Officer (HPO).

The grant agreement execution must occur before October 31 st of the application year, if not the organization forfeits funding. Failure to meet the terms of the Heritage Grant Program may result in cancellation of the Funding Agreement. City of Plano Planning Department 1520 K Avenue, Suite 250 Plano, TX 75074 Phone: 972-941-7151 www.

historicplano. org # HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM Agency operating on a city-owned property shall procure and maintain for the duration of the grant agreement, insurance against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property which may arise from or in connection with the services performed or to be performed hereunder by the agency, its agents, representatives, employees, volunteers, officers, directors or sub-contractors.

The Agency shall maintain insurance with limits not less than $500,000 per occurrence, $1,000,000 aggregate, and coverage shall be at least as broad as ISO Commercial General Liability coverage (“occurrence” form CG 0001). "Claims-made" forms are not acceptable.

Coverage will include: (A) Premises - Operations; (B) Products and Completed Operations; (C) Coverage for subcontractors (require subcontractors to maintain equivalent coverage) ; (D) Contractual Liability (included in standard policies).

The policy will be endorsed to contain the following provisions: The City, its officials, employees, volunteers, Boards and Commissions are to be added as “Additional Insured’s” as respects to liability arising out of any activities performed by or on behalf of the Agency. The policy shall contain no special limitations to the scope of coverage afforded to the City.

The Agency’s insurance coverage shall be primary and any insurance or self-insurance shall be in excess of the Agency’s insurance and shall not contribute with it. Insurance shall be placed with insurers with an A. M.

Best rating of no less than A:VI or a Standard & Poors rating of A or better. The Agency shall furnish the city with a certificate of insurance which shows the coverage provided.

The insurance policy will be endorsed to state that coverage shall not be suspended, voided, canceled, non-renewed, reduced in coverage or in limits except after thirty (30) days prior written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, has been given to the city.

Additional Insurance Information The City of Plano requires each grantee operating on a city-owned property to have liability insurance to protect the public for acts by the grantee. This mandated coverage does not cover the grantee or any of its members. We encourage the grantee to acquire insurance to cover itself and its members as it deems fit.

The City of Plano’s Risk Manager is available at (972) 941-5660 if you or your insurance agent has questions on the required coverage. City of Plano Phone: 972 -941 -7151 www. historicplano.

org # HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM # Validation of Application The signatory declares that he/she is an authorized official of the applicant, is authorized to make this application, and certifies that the information in this application is true and correct to the best of his/her knowledge.

Signatory further declares t hat applicant, if previously funded by the City of Plano, has successfully fulfilled all prior Grant Funding Agreement obligations.

_______________________________________________________________________ ____ _ Signature of Authorizing Official Date Title within the Organization Business Phone Home /Cell Phone Email HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM # Heritage Project/Program Description & Questions  Provide answers to Criteria 1 questions pertaining to your organization. Provide this information only once, if applying for multiple heritage projects/programs.

 Provide answers to Criteria 2 and Criteria 3 questions pertaining to each of the requested heritage project/program.  For multiple heritage projects/programs, list each project as Project #1, Project #2, Project #3…. and provide separate answers for Criteria 2 and 3 for all requested heritage projects/programs.

 Provide customized answers to each of the questions listed under Criteria 2 and 3 for requested heritage project/program  Each question is worth up to the maximum points indicated in blue text. Please ensure all questions are answered, as projects will be evaluated based on these scoring points.  Upload the completed ‘Heritage Project/Program Description and Questions’ document as a PDF.

Provide a short description of your organization including its mission statement, history, operating days and time, professional accreditations/memberships, average yearly visitations, and recent accomplishments/recognitions. Criteria 1 - Administrative & Fiscal Responsibility (up to 25 Points) 1. How does your organization demonstrate: (12 Points)  Growth (e.g., increased sponsorships, memberships, partnerships or volunteers)?

 Fiscal responsibility (e.g. diversified funding sources, proper use of past grants, return of unused funds)?  Strong leadership (e.g., timely quarterly reporting, community presence and engagement, program expansion)? 2.

How will the organization ensure successful completion of the requested project/program, including proper use of funds and reporting compliance within the grant year? (6 Points) 3. How does your organization track and quantify visitors from Plano and outside of Plano who engage or participate in the heritage projects/programs?

(Provide measurable methods such as attendance data, surveys, or digital engagement.) (7 Points) Heritage Project/Program Overview City of Plano > Planning Department 1520 K Avenue, Suite 250 Plano, TX 75074 Phone: 972-941-7151 www. historicplano.

org Provide a clear, concise description of the proposed project/program, including its name, scope, goals, and expected impact. Any work completed outside the described project/program scope shall be considered ineligible. Criteria 2 - Heritage Tourism/Public Education (up to 50 Points) 1.

How does this project/program support heritage tourism and Plano’s hospitality industry, and promote Plano as a historic center local/state/national level? (Provide specific strategies and expected outcomes.) (25 points) 2.

How does this project/program provide community education through a structured plan or methodology? (Describe the approach and expected impact.) (9 Points) 3.

How does this project/program incorporate innovation and creativity in historic preservation or heritage education (Provide specific strategies and examples). (9 Points) How will this project/program attract new and diverse audiences, including underrepresented ethnic groups? (Describe your approach or provide data from similar past projects).

(7 Points) Criteria 3 - Heritage/Historic Preservation Merit (up to 25 Points) 1. How does this project/program align with the Heritage Commission’s goals? Provide specific examples.

(15 Points) Goal 1: Recognizing, protecting, and utilizing landmarks and cultural icons while respecting Plano’s heritage. Goal 2: Increasing public awareness and civic pride in Plano’s history. Goal 3: Enhancing Commission members’ knowledge of heritage preservation.

2. Is there any in-kind funding available for this heritage project/program? (10 Points) City of Plano Phone: 972 -941 -7151 www.

historicplano. org # HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM # Board of Directors Template ## Organization Name: ____ ________________________________ ## ORGANIZATION ’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS Name/ Title City of Plano Phone: 972 -941 -7151 www. historicplano.

org # HERITAGE PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM # Articles of Incorporation Our organization doe s not have an Article of Incorporation document for the following reason: Reason: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Organization Name: __________________________________________________________ MINOR HERITAGE GRANT EXPENSE SUMMARY