Deadline: 29-Jan-21
The Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area (MHNHA) is seeking applications for its Community Grants Program 2021 to provide strategic investments in heritage sites, events, programs, and other projects of cultural, educational, and recreational value within the boundaries of the MHNHA.
MHHAA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was named by Congress as the local coordinating entity. Its mission is to preserve, enhance, interpret, and promote the cultural and heritage assets of the region in a manner that enhances exposure, education, and economic growth.
Goals
- MHHAA offers grants for innovative projects that will help accomplish the goals and objectives defined in the Management Plan.
- The program is designed to provide strategic investments in heritage sites, events, programs, and other projects of cultural, educational, and recreational value within the boundaries of the MHNHA.
- The federal funds for this program are provided to MHHAA through the National Park Service and require a 1:1 match.
Grant Categories
- Education Grants (open to all schools districts, school support groups, and nonprofit cultural/heritage attractions within the Mississippi Hills NHA)
- Requests of up to $1,000 per trip will be considered and multiple trips may be requested on the same applications.
- Funds must be used for educational field trip transportation and interpretation costs only.
- Applications are accepted year-round; allow 6 weeks for a decision.
- Funds must be used within a year of the award.
- Flash Grants (open to all qualified applicants within the Mississippi Hills NHA),
- Requests of $1,000 – $2,500 will be considered.
- Funds must be used within one year of the award.
- Small Grants (open to all qualified applicants within the Mississippi Hills NHA),
- Requests of $2,500 – $5,000 will be considered.
- Projects must be completed within one year of the award.
- Large Grants (open to all qualified dues-paying members in good standing),
- Requests for $5,000 – $20,000 will be considered.
Eligible Projects
To be eligible for funding, projects must address one or more of the goals listed below. Projects that address more than one goal will be given higher consideration. Projects that incorporate one or more primary interpretive themes – African American heritage, Civil War, Native American heritage, and Music & Literature – are highly encouraged.
- Education and Interpretation
- Connect heritage sites/attractions through the use of interpretive themes/strategies.
- Lift public awareness about Hills heritage through education and research.
- Cultural and Heritage Tourism
- Develop physical or programmatic linkages between destinations to enhance visitor experience.
- Promote greater brand awareness through comprehensive marketing and public-relations programs using both traditional and new media.
- Use a consistent visual identity and brand in all collateral materials.
- Encourage marketing and public relations collaborations between MHNHA and cultural & heritage assets in the region, as well as partnerships between individual sites/resources.
- Heritage Resource Conservation and Enhancement
- Conduct research to facilitate the identification, preservation, and recognition/ promotion of significant heritage sites and attractions within MHNHA.
- Conserve, preserve, and enhance the cultural & heritage assets of MHNHA.
- Encourage sensitive resource development to protect cultural & heritage assets and natural landscapes and view sheds.
- Partnership Development
- Promote entrepreneurial activity and business development related to MHNHA cultural & heritage assets and resources.
- Utilize cultural & heritage assets to foster sustainable economic activity.
- Provide planning & technical assistance to asset managers and operators.
Eligibility Criteria
- Within MHNHA, the grant program is open to non-profit organizations, school groups, attractions, museums, partnerships, federally-recognized Indian tribes, cultural & heritage events, programs, presentations, and all MHHAA dues-paying members in good standing.
- All applicants must demonstrate sufficient expertise to manage their project to completion. Please Note – Education, Flash, and Small grants are available to any qualified applicant while Large grants are reserved for dues-paying members in good standing.
Grantee Responsibilities
- Grantee will be required to sign a grant contract with MHHAA.
- Each contract will be unique to the project requirements.
- No work may begin on any grant-funded portion of the project until a contract has been signed by both the grantee and the MHHAA.
- MHHAA grants utilize federal funds and therefore all applicable federal laws must be followed. Once a grant is awarded, MHHAA staff will work with the grantee to determine laws and regulations which apply to the project.
- Grantee must provide proof of insurance, if applicable.
- Grantee is required to submit financial and final performance reports for the project as specified in the contract. Interim reports may be required for complex projects or those taking longer than one year to complete.
- Grantee will allow inspection of program records by MHHAA staff and any authorized federal agencies.
- Grantee will acknowledge the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area and the National Park Service in all printed materials (contact staff regarding logo use).
For more information, visit https://mississippihills.org/grants/
