Morris County opens 2026 historic preservation grant round, sets workshops and deadlines
MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — The Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund has opened its 2026 round of grant applications and announced key dates for organizations seeking county funding to preserve and rehabilitate historic sites.
The Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation will host a virtual Grant Application Workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 7 to 8 p.m. via Webex. County officials said the session will provide an overview of the application process and address questions on project eligibility, prior funding and the county’s new online application portal. Advance registration is required.
A virtual training session on using the new portal is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4. Beginning with the 2026 funding round, all required materials — including the Declaration of Intent — must be submitted through the portal.
Under the county’s schedule, Declarations of Intent are due Friday, Feb. 27, and final grant applications are due Friday, March 27.
County officials said religious institutions are eligible to apply during the 2026 funding cycle following litigation over prior restrictions. In 2018, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that Morris County could not issue taxpayer-funded historic preservation grants to religious institutions under the state constitution, officials said. In November 2024, a federal court issued a preliminary ruling finding the exclusion violated the U.S. Constitution, and the litigation has since concluded, the county said.
Since the program began in 2003, the Historic Preservation Trust Fund has awarded more than $56 million to preserve and rehabilitate 136 historic sites and resources across Morris County, county officials said. The program was established after voters approved a dedicated historic preservation trust fund.
Eligible applicants include municipalities, qualified nonprofit organizations and Morris County. Projects must involve historic resources listed on, or certified eligible for listing on, the state or National Register of Historic Places.
Questions can be directed to Ray Chang, the county’s historic preservation program coordinator, at rchang@co.morris.nj.us or 973-829-8138.
