Grants available to preserve county’s history, boost conservation
November 17, 2022
Grants worth thousands will soon be available for nonprofits and other groups seeking to protect and preserve the County’s rich land and historic places.
Beginning Thursday, Dec. 1, nonprofits, neighborhood organizations, governmental agencies, commercial entities and other institutions can apply for Historic Preservation and Natural Resource grants through the Richland County Conservation Commission. Both grants require a 20 percent match by the grantee.
Grant criteria and applications are accessible at richlandlegacy.com. The application period for both grants runs until Feb. 1, 2023.
Grants of up to $50,000 are available to help preserve or restore historic buildings and cemeteries, or for educational and research projects promoting Richland County history. Examples of previous projects receiving Historic Preservation Grants include:
- Renovation of the Langford-Nord House (Blythewood Historical Society & Museum)
- Publication of “Generation Know” by the S.C. Progressive Network Education Fund
- Upgrades to the Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home
- Oral histories in Lower Richland and Columbia’s Waverly neighborhood
- A new roof for Columbia’s historic Town Theatre
Grants of up to $20,000 are available for building trails, water quality improvement projects, green infrastructure and environmental education programs. Natural Resource Grants, previously known as Community Conservation Grants, were awarded for:
- Educational programs at Camp Discovery in Blythewood
- Creating bird-friendly windows at Richland Library Ballentine
- Replacement of trail bridges at Harbison State Forest by Eagle Scout groups
- Improving access to the Wateree Passage of the Palmetto Trail
- Enhancing water quality testing in Gills Creek Watershed
To find out more about historic and conservation grant opportunities in Richland County, contact John McKenzie at [email protected] or 803-576-2083.
