Graham Jaehnig/Daily MIning Gazette KNHPAC Executive Director Sean Gohman announced Keweenaw Heritage Grant Program for 2024.

CALUMET TOWNSHIP — Sean Gohman, executive director of the Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission, announced the Keweenaw Heritage Grant Program for 2024. Gohman spoke at the KNHPAC’s regular quarterly meeting, at the Park Headquarters building, on Tuesday.

With the exception of date changes, he said, the new applications are nearly identical to last year’s. The deadline for application submission is Friday, March 29; Board decisions will be made by May 7, and awards will be given out by May 31.

The Heritage Grant Program helps local partners preserve and interpret resources and stories related to the Keweenaw’s nationally significant copper mining history, from preserving buildings and landscapes to interpretation and museum collections, the KNHP website states. As in previous years, proposed projects must meet certain criteria: located within the legislated boundaries of Keweenaw National Historical Park; affiliated with a Keweenaw Heritage Site; and/or located at the Cliff Mine, Torch Lake, or the community of Painesdale. Applicants must be a designated Keweenaw Heritage Site organization, a nonprofit organization, a local or regional government, an academic institution, or a federally recognized Indian tribe.

The grants, as in previous years, are subject to a 1-to-1 match, although up to 100% of the match may be in-kind. This year, applicants are asked to use an hourly rate of $25 when calculating the in-kind match. Grants will range between $1,000 and $15,000. Organizations may submit up to two applications, which must be prioritized when submitted; their highest priority grant application will receive greater consideration, although all applications will be evaluated. Projects will be selected for funding based on the information provided in the application and to ensure a balance of project types and locations.

For that reason, Gohman strongly advises applicants seek assistance from KNHP staff.

“It is strongly encouraged that your heritage site or property, if you’re eligible, to speak with National Park Service staff,” Gohman said. “I can facilitate that conversation for you if need be, but it is heavily encouraged that you work with the Park Service staff in getting that idea on paper; not writing the grant for you or anything like that, but just understanding what goes into what your needs are going to be: materials for instance. If it’s an interpretive project — themes, directions, methods — things like that — looking for that technical assistance to help you formulate that grant application.”

Gohman said that a press statement will be released, hopefully by the end of this week and the application will also be available on the park website. Gohman said people can also email him with a request and he will provide an application.

There will be a press release published shortly to notify people of the program. The park website has the application, or you can email Gohman at and he will send it out.

Since the program started in 2008, it has awarded approximately $2.3 million in grants, with another $2.3 million in matches added, totaling nearly $5 million for historic preservation, interpretation, curatorial and education projects.