State Development Grant Program is for brick-and-mortar preservation projects. Properties must be individually listed on or a contributing property in a historic district or/and archaeological development of a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places to be eligible for this funding. The funding source for this grant program is appropriated by the WV Legislature, through Lottery Funds.
Funding is given to projects related to at least one of the following work categories:
- Work to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of a historic property.
- Measures to defend or guard the physical condition of a property from deterioration, loss or attack, or to cover or shield the site from further danger or injury.
- Repair and alteration of a property that make it compatible for modern use, while also preserving the features that convey its historical, cultural, and architectural value. This also includes work necessary to facilitate putting the building to an appropriate use, including meeting all codes and accessibility standards.
- Work that accurately depicts the form, features, and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time.
- Measures to reestablish the physical stability of a deteriorated historic property
Matching Requirement
Development Grants require a match budgeted on one-to-one (50/50) basis. Matching funds may include in-kind contributions but at least half of the sponsor’s matching funds must be cash. Only non-federal monies may be used as sources of cash. Grants are paid as reimbursement, so all grant expenditures and match resources must be expended for services completed (and approved) during the project period. Work conducted prior to entering a grant agreement is not eligible for reimbursement.
Eligible applicants for the grant are a state or local government agency, non-profit organization, private citizen, for-profit firm or organization, education institution, or Certified Local Government. Additionally, individuals may apply for these funds if they are the property owner, have a long-term lease and have written permission from the owner to conduct the proposed project, or have a commitment with the owner to purchase the property and provide a deed showing new ownership prior to the grant award.
The FY26 Development Grant application will be available in our online grants portal on approximately July 1 and the deadline to submit an application will be September 30.