Historic Preservation Fund Grants, New Mexico Historic Preservation Division

August 25 is the deadline to apply for state preservation grants.

HPD is accepting applications for grants ranging from $4,000 to $7,000 for historic district surveys, State and National Register nominations, structural assessments of registered properties and outreach activities. Special emphasis has been placed on cultural landscape and resources surveys within Galisteo Basin in light of Governor Bill Richardson extending the state moratorium on oil-and-gas exploration in the basin through January 24, 2009. Although matching funds are not required for the state grants, they are strongly encouraged.

Applications must be for work that will be completed between Nov. 1 and April 30, 2009. Applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been accepted on or before Sept. 25. No more than two applications from a group or individual will be accepted. Organizations that apply for HPD’s small grants and Certified Local Government grants are eligible to apply for the state grants.

Please conform your proposal to the goals outlined in Preserving the Enchantment: A Plan for New Mexico, 2007-2011, HPD’s five-year plan available on this web site. Application Form and Guidelines are available here.

This is the second year HPD will award state funded grants thanks to the support of Governor Richardson and the Legislature, which approved establishing a fund in 2007.

Through the Historic Preservation Fund subgrant program, the Historic Preservation Division contracts with individuals and groups each year for a variety of preservation projects. Examples include, but are not limited to: development of preservation plans; surveys of historic districts; public events to promote historic preservation; historic preservation education programs and curriculum development; preparation of nominations to the State Register of Cultural Properties and National Register of Historic Places; surveys to identify historic and prehistoric sites; and recording and/or monitoring of endangered archaeological sites. These grants are available to historical societies, archaeological societies, preservation groups, individuals, and local governments.

About the Historic Preservation Fund

Each year the Historic Preservation Division (HPD) receives a substantial matching grant from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). Prior to Federal Fiscal Year 2001 (FFY01), New Mexico received under $600,000 for a two-year grant cycle. In FFY01, HPD received an all-time high of $769,000 and in FFY02 we received $640,329. Unfortunately, our funding will decrease further in FFY03. Most of the HPF monies are used for HPD operating expenses to carry out federal requirements. Each year, however, HPD is fortunate to be able to allocate money for outside contracts (approximately $30,000 in FFY02), including 10 small grants of $2,000 or less and projects such as National and State Register nominations.

Funding also is set aside for Certified Local Governments ($70,000 in FFY02). HPF requires that 10% of the state's allocation be passed through to CLGs through subgrants. To be certified, a governmental entity must enact and enforce a historic preservation ordinance, maintain a qualified commission to review proposed construction and demolition projects affecting historic districts and landmarks, and ensure public participation in preservation planning, among other requirements. For more on how local governments can pursue this funding under the HPF, see the Certified Local Governments Program.

Contracts

Each year HPD puts out a Request for Proposals for projects to identify, evaluate, nominate and protect New Mexico's cultural resources. Projects vary from year to year depending on the goals and objectives in on our five-year state plan: Preserving the Enchantment: a Plan for New Mexico 2007-2011. In recent years, HPD has awarded contracts for the development of property inventories, surveys, Register nominations, historical contexts, planning and technical assistance, publications, documentary films, and public outreach activities.

Criteria for Contracts

Each year, HPD mails a letter that briefly describes each funded project to those entities on the HPD request for proposal mailing list. Upon request, HPD sends a detailed request for proposals for each one of the projects specified. The request for proposals for each project is in two parts: 1) specific criteria and 2) basic guidelines.

Each year the projects that are funded represent a wide variety of projects. The specific criteria describe the scope of work for the particular project and particular professional personnel or matching fund requirements, etc. As an example, you may download the Small Grant Program Description and Application Form (PDF).

Regarding basic guidelines, you may download the Preservation Grants Basic Guidelines (PDF).

To receive notification of HPD's contract projects, please provide your name and address to:

Shalie Gasper, CLG and Grants Coordinator
Historic Preservation Division
407 Galisteo St., Suite 236
Santa Fe, NM 87501

shalie.gasper@state.nm.us
(505) 827-8494
fax: (505) 827-6338

More information on the Historic Preservation Fund program can be found at the websites:

National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund Grants

In 2003, HPD awarded a grant to the New Mexico Route 66 Association to make a documentary film on Route 66 signs.

The CPRC and HPD have placed many Route 66 cultural resources on the State Register of Cultural Properties and National Register of Historic Places, including sections of the highway, motels and signs.

Grants Cafe photo courtesy Johnnie Mier, President of New Mexico Route 66 Association.