Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee Announces Applications Available for African-American Cultural and Historical Grants

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Florida Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee announced today that applications for Florida’s African-American Cultural and Historical Grants program will be accepted through November 30, 2021. The new grant program will provide funding to facilities in Florida that highlight the contributions, culture or history of African-Americans.

“This first-of-its-kind program will support institutions that highlight and help to tell the story of the impact of the African-American community in Florida,” said Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee. “This funding, provided by the Florida Legislature, will support renovations and boost the development of new facilities at our state’s numerous African-American cultural and historical sites.”

With a total budget of up to $30,000,000, the grant program is jointly administered by the Department of State’s Divisions of Arts and Culture and Historical Resources. Non-profit organizations and public entities may apply for up to $500,000 or up to $1,000,000 with 50 percent matching funds from other sources. Priority shall be given to projects that encourage the design or construction of a new facility or the renovation of an existing facility in an area with great cultural significance in which no facility exists; enhance the beauty or aesthetic value of facilities named for significant African-Americans; or restore facilities on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information on the program, application process and guidelines, please visit https://dos.myflorida.com/aach.

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About the Division of Arts and Culture

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture is Florida’s legislatively designated state arts agency. The Division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians. To achieve its mission, the Division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence, diversity, education, access and economic vitality for Florida’s communities. For more information, visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural.

About The Division of Historical Resources

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division Director’s office oversees a grants-in-aid program to help preserve and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites; coordinates outreach programs such as the State Historic Markers program, the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail and Florida Main Street. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The Division director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of the Bureaus of Historical Museums, Archaeological Research and Historic Preservation. For more information, visit flheritage.com.