2026 Cultural and Heritage NJ Matching Art or History Grant Program

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners established this grant program to provide direct financial support to qualifying Ocean County nonprofit arts, history, and cultural organizations that have already received competitive grant funding from either the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) or the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC). The program was created to fill a funding gap caused by state regulations that prohibit certain organizations from simultaneously receiving funding through Ocean County's Local Arts Program or County History Partnership Program while also receiving direct grants from the State.

Purpose of the Program

Historically, some of Ocean County's largest and most established arts and history organizations were effectively excluded from County-administered grant programs because they received funding directly from the State. The Board of Commissioners created this matching grant initiative to ensure these organizations continue to receive local support despite those restrictions.

The program specifically targets "flagship" cultural and heritage organizations that serve Ocean County residents and have already demonstrated merit by successfully obtaining State-level funding through a competitive review process.

Project Details

• Department: Parks Department
• Department Head: Mary Jane Bavais (Director)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-08-19T16:00:00.000Z

Addenda

• Addendum #1 (released 2026-07-29T18:24:48.408Z) —

  Please use the See What Changed link to view all the changes made by this addendum.

Evaluation Criteria

• Organizational Eligibility and Compliance (30 pts) —

  The applicant demonstrates compliance with all required organizational qualifications and alignment with the purpose of the Matching Grant Program.

  Evaluation includes:

  • IRS-designated 501(c)(3) status
  • Minimum operating expenses exceeding $75,000 during the previous fiscal year (excluding capital and in-kind expenses)
  • Current NJ Charities Registration (if required by the State of New Jersey)
  • Must be current on State and Federal filings for payroll, income tax, and corporate filing.
  • Primary mission focuses on arts, history, or culture (not tourism or social services)
  • Activities support the preservation, promotion, or advancement of arts, culture, or history within Ocean County
  • Must have primarily served residents or visitors of Ocean County (not Statewide service) for five (5) or more years.
• State Grant Qualification (50 pts) —

  The applicant demonstrates eligibility for matching funds through a qualifying State grant.

  Evaluation includes:

  • Award from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and/or New Jersey Historical Commission
  • Award is a General Operating Grant, General Program Grant, or Co-Sponsored Grant
  • Documentation verifying the award has been provided
  • Requested matching funds are based on an eligible State grant award not to exceed $25,000 per applicant
  • Cannot be a recipient of a local arts program or County history partnership program grant for the current fiscal year
• Program Eligibility Verification (20 pts) —

  The applicant meets all remaining program-specific eligibility requirements and submits a complete application.

  Evaluation includes:

  • Organization is not currently receiving Local Arts Program funding
  • Organization is not currently receiving County History Partnership Program funding
  • Application is complete and submitted by the deadline
  • All required supporting documentation has been provided

Submission Requirements

• Name of Organization/Agency (required)
• Name of Project Director (required) —

  Enter the name of the individual who will be responsible for overseeing this Grant Program.

• Federal Tax ID Number (required)
• Applicant Address (required) —

  Please enter the address of your company's home office.

• Applicant Phone Number (required)
• Applicant Email Address (required) —

  This should be the email address of the person who will be overseeing this Grant Program.

• MISSION STATEMENT AND SERVICE TYPE (required) —

  Provide a brief overview of your organization or agency. This section should include:

  • Your mission or purpose

  • The type of organization 

  • The services and programs you provide, particularly arts or history

  • The population(s) served and geographic area covered

  Responses should clearly explain how your organization’s role and services align with the goals of the Cultural and Heritage NJ Matching Art or History Grant Program.

• Does your organization provide services to Ocean County residents and guests for five (5) or more years? (required)
• Did your organization receive a grant award from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and/or the New Jersey Historical Commission during the previous fiscal year? (required)
• Amount awarded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts
• Amount awarded by the New Jersey Historical Commission
• State Grant Award Letter(s) for Current Fiscal Year (required) —

  Upload State Grant Award Letter(s). 

  Please note that if your organization does not have a State Grant Award Letter, your application cannot be considered.

• Describe how your organization benefits Ocean County residents through arts, history, or cultural programming (required)
• Describe any educational, outreach, or community engagement activities offered by your organization. (required)
• Explain how County matching funds will support your organization's mission and programming (required)
• Is your organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization? (required) —

  Please note you must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) in order to receive funding under this Grant.

• IRS Determination Letter (required) —

  Please upload your organization's IRS determination letter.

• Current 990 Filing (required) —

  Please upload your organization's most recent 990 filing.

• Did your organization have operating expenses exceeding $75,000 during the previous fiscal year, excluding capital expenditures and in-kind contributions? (required)
• Is your organization incorporated and actively conducting business in Ocean County for five (5) or more years? (required)
• Does your organization currently receive funding through Ocean County's Local Arts Program? (required)
• Does your organization currently receive funding through Ocean County's County History Partnership Program? (required)
• NJ Charities Registration Number (if required)
• Most Recent Final Report for NJ Historical Commission and/or NJ State Council on the Arts —

  Unless this is your organization's first year receiving a qualifying state grant, please upload your final relevant report pertaining to the prior year's qualifying grants from NJ Historical Commission and/or NJ State Council on the Arts.

• Example of County Seal —

  Please upload your organization's sample of use of the County Seal and attribution.

• I certify that the information contained in this application is true and accurate and that the organization meets all eligibility requirements of the 2026 Ocean County Board of Commissioners Matching NJ Art & NJ History Grant Program (required)
• Additional Applicant Documentation —

  Applicants may upload additional pages or documents only if needed to support narrative responses (e.g., expanded explanations), or anything else the evaluation committee should consider when reviewing your application.