Up to $1 million available for projects of all sizes that interpret, preserve or explore Michigan’s history



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Oct. 30, 2025
Contact: Shelby Laupp (MHC) <[email protected]>, 517-930-8493

*Up to $1 million available in second round of America250MI History Program Grants*

"Program opens Nov. 1; applications due Jan. 15"

The second round of applications for the America250MI History Grant Program – which will award a total of $2 million to history organizations and their partners across the state between 2025 and 2026 – opens Saturday, Nov. 1.

The grant funds, appropriated to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by the state Legislature, represent a key element of the state’s commemoration of the USA’s 250th anniversary.

“There’s always more history to explore,” said Sandra Clark, director of the Michigan History Center. “We are excited to see another round of unique proposals dedicated to preserving and interpreting Michigan’s history.”

A staircase.

Earlier this year, nearly a hundred Round 1 applicant proposals sought more than $2.2 million in funding; in June, the program announced projects in more than two dozen counties [ [link removed] ] across the state would receive grants totaling over $967,000.

*Program details*

The America250MI grant program will help fund projects of all sizes that interpret, preserve or explore Michigan’s history. Applicants can seek funding for a variety of projects, including but not limited to educational programming, capital improvements, exhibits, collections management and interpretive signs.

Projects may focus on any historical subject that has helped shape the Michigan of today.

“From World War II and Michigan shipwrecks to labor history and immigration, successful projects from Round 1 covered a variety of impactful topics,” said Larry J. Wagenaar, executive director and CEO of the Historical Society of Michigan. “Round 2 grants give us the opportunity to expand on more stories that are important to our state.”

Eligible applicants include tribal governments, 501(c)(3) nonprofit history organizations and local units of government. All applications must include at least one organization devoted to history.

Current grant recipients from Round 1 are eligible to apply for Round 2, but they cannot apply for the same funded project.

The grant program will prioritize projects that involve collaborative community partners, make a lasting impact and align with the America250MI 5 Guiding Themes [ [link removed] ] (Unfinished Revolutions, Power of Place, American Experiment, We the People and Doing History).

*Application info, timeline*


A group of people around a pavilion, some in historic costumes.

Round 2 opens Nov. 1 and closes Jan. 15, 2026. Winners will be announced in March 2026.

Applicants must submit a detailed project description, timeline, communications plan and budget. The America250MI committee will evaluate all applications.

Up to $1 million is available in Round 2 grant amounts across three tiers:


* Tier 1: $2,500-5,000.
* Tier 2: $5,001-25,000.
* Tier 3: $25,001-50,000.

Tier 1 projects have no match requirements. Applicants who are awarded an amount within Tier 2 will be required to match 15% of the grant amount. Tier 3 projects require a 30% match.

All grant details [ [link removed] ], including requirements, eligibility and scoring, are outlined in the grant booklet, which all prospective applicants should review before beginning the application process. Additional information about the grants and the statewide commemoration is available on America250MI’s website [ [link removed] ].

Questions about the program? Email [email protected].

“Exploring our history can help inform our future,” said Clark. “What we discover through these projects can guide us through the next 250 years.”

America250MI [ [link removed] ] is Michigan’s statewide committee tasked with commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, the American Revolution’s role in Michigan’s history and the impact that these, and various other historical events, have had on the people of Michigan’s past, present and future.

Established in 1828, the Historical Society of Michigan [ [link removed] ] is Michigan's oldest cultural organization and helps connect Michigan’s past to its residents and organizations through programs and events, publications, awards, workshops, networking opportunities and support for local history organizations. The society is a member-supported educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives no state-appropriated funding. 

The Michigan History Center [ [link removed] ] fosters curiosity, enjoyment and inspiration rooted in Michigan's stories through museums, historic sites, Michigan Historical Markers, heritage trails, archaeology and programming. The center, a part of the Department of Natural Resources, manages 11 museums statewide, museum and archaeology artifact collections and various educational programs.



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*Note to editors:* Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.


* Port Austin Reef Light: [ [link removed] ] The Port Austin Reef Light Association was awarded more than $20,000 in America250MI Round 1 funding. On top of the restoration of a staircase, the organization will also be upgrading exhibits about what life was like for lighthouse keepers.
* Jackson Civil War Muster: [ [link removed] ] The Jackson Civil War Society used its America250MI Round 1 award to help with costs of the Jackson Civil War Muster, an annual living history event. The 2025 event drew a crowd of nearly 20,000, making it the society's most attended event.

 


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