The Eaton County Historical Commission Grant Program
The Eaton County Historical Commission (ECHC) is dedicated to preserving Eaton County’s historic resources and ensuring that local history remains accessible, meaningful, and relevant to the public.The Commission supports responsible historic preservation, public education, and community engagement by promoting the documentation, protection, and interpretation of the people, places,and events that have shaped Eaton County.
To further this mission, the ECHC administers a Historical Grant Program to provide financial assistance for projects that document, preserve, or interpret Eaton County history. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to, written historical research, documentary film, oral history initiatives, and the restoration or preservation of historic sites, structures, and artifacts associated with Eaton County. Priority consideration is given to projects demonstrating long-term historical value and broad public benefit.
Purpose and Eligibility
The purpose of this program is to provide for the distribution of public funds to eligible nonprofit organizations for the promotion, restoration, and preservation of the historical heritage of Eaton County, Michigan. Any nonprofit organization registered to operate within Eaton County, Michigan, and recognized as a tax-exempt entity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, is eligible to apply for a grant from the ECHC.
Award Criteria and Conditions
Grant awards shall be made only within the current fiscal year and may not be issued retroactively or for future fiscal years. Grant funds must be used to complete the approved project within one (1) year of the award date. If a project cannot be completed within this time frame, the recipient may submit a written request for an extension, subject to approval by the Commission. If the Commission-funded portion of a project is not completed within one (1) year and no extension has been approved, the recipient shall be required to return the full grant amount to the Eaton County Historical Commission.
If the grant award does not cover the total cost of the proposed project, the applicant must secure all additional required funding prior to the disbursement of any grant funds. Upon completion of the project, the recipient shall submit a written report to the Commission documenting the use of grant funds and the completed work.
Application Deadline
Grant applications must be received no later than May 1 to be considered for funding in the current fiscal year. Applicants must submit one (1) completed, original application bearing an authorized signature by the stated deadline. Incomplete applications, not approved, or received after the deadline shall not be carried forward and must be resubmitted for consideration in a subsequent fiscal year. All application materials submitted shall become the property of the ECHC and will not be returned.
Review and Approval Process
All eligible grant applications shall be reviewed by the ECHC. Grant award selections and funding amounts shall be determined at the Commission’s May meeting. Each application shall be individually reviewed, discussed, and voted upon. Approval of a grant award shall require a majority vote of Commission members present. If a quorum is not present at the May meeting, consideration and voting shall be deferred to the next regular meeting of the Commission.
FOR 2026: A total of up to $3,000 is available for grant awards in 2026 and may be distributed among one to three eligible organizations.