OAK HILL, W.Va. — A new round of grant funding is available for coal heritage projects in the southern West Virginia, provided through the National Coal Heritage Area Authority.
Linda Hawkins, a spokesperson for the authority, said the agency is seeking proposals for funding for projects that support community efforts to interpret, preserve, and promote coal heritage resources.
The first quarter applications for major grants and mini-grants must be submitted by March 24, 2025, she said. Deadlines for mini-grant applications in 2025 are June 23, September 15, and December 15, she said.
Major grant applications may vary from $5,001 to $30,000, while mini-grant applicants may request up to $5,000.
Projects must also be located in the heritage area, which includes Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, and the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek watersheds in Kanawha County.
Applicants must also have matching funds available for their projects, and funding must be matched dollar-for-dollar with funds from non-federal funding or well-documented in-kind resources, which can include donated services, volunteer labor, and materials and supplies.
The National Coal Heritage Area management plan identifies interpretive themes for the area, which include—
- The Business of Coal Mining
- Work in Coal
- The Company Town
- Mining Technology
- Crisis and Renewal
Each project must address at least one of the interpretive themes in some manner but could enconpass several thematic areas.
Eligible activities for this round of funding include—
- Interpretation and Heritage Programming,
- Historic Preservation and Resource Stewardship,
- Archives and Historical Records Collection,
- Greenways, Public Parks, and Non-Motorized Trails,
Grant funding helped cover the cost of a historic marker in Mount Hope. (Photo courtesy National Coal Heritage Authority) and
- Educational Activities and Events.
Previous projects have included preservation of archival materials, planning for preservation of historic structures, creation of museum exhibits, development of trail head signage, brochure design and production, and marketing materials.
Organizations eligible for grant awards must be legally established non-profit organizations and institutions, public and governmental organizations including county and municipal governments, state agencies, economic development authorities, and educational institutions.
For more information and grant instructions call 304-465-3720 or email lhawkins@coalheritage.org.
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