HPTAG Details and Eligibility

Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grants (HPTAG)

What is HPTAG: A collaborative historic preservation technical assistance program of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, with funding from the Connecticut General Assembly, the Connecticut Humanities Council
and the State Historic Preservation Office, Department of Economic and Community Development.

The purpose of HPTAG: to support efforts that help communities throughout the state plan for the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historic places.

Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grants (HPTAGs) serve as catalysts to enable communities to move forward with preservation projects as well as to encourage preservation-oriented community planning. Grants will be given for evaluations of historic resources and for plans for restoration of historic resources. Construction costs are not eligible.  Grants will be given to projects that build and strengthen local preservation/community organizations.

Grant Awards: All grants are either technical assistance or preservation planning grants.  All grants require a one to one match: cash and qualified in-kind. Matching funds can not come from the State of Connecticut.  Most grant awards are between $2,500 and $20,000, though smaller amounts are accepted.

 Direct Preservation Planning Assistance:

• Feasibility studies for re-use of a historic resource, business plans and strategic plans for resource  adaptability.
• Conditions Assessments; plans and specifications for the restoration/rehabilitation of a building.
• Structural and engineering analyses of historic resources.
• Historic Structures Reports

Organizational Development and Program Support: 

• Projects or plans that strengthen the organizational structure and direction of an organization whose mission is directed to community preservation, including governance, financial management, fundraising, staffing.
• Preservation projects that have potential to connect with larger/broader preservation efforts or plans in a community.
• Projects or programs that add to the technical expertise of preservationists or a collaborative group.

Eligibility requirements:

• Incorporated 501(c)3 non-profit organizations or municipalities in the state of Connecticut.
• Applicants MUST work with a Connecticut Circuit Rider (a partnership program with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the State Historic Preservation Office).
• Organizations must be members of the Connecticut Trust to apply.
• Partnerships between public and private non-profits are encouraged.
• Organizations must have the ability to administer the grant, both fiscal and project management.
• Preservation/restoration/engineering/other consulting professionals must be part of any grant request.
• The match must be in place when the grant application is submitted.
• Historic resource must be listed, or eligible for listing, on the State Register of Historic Places.

Not Eligible:

• Projects from for-profit organizations or institutions, from the State of Connecticut or from individuals without an organizational or institutional base.
• Projects for general operating expenses or for purchase of office equipment for the purpose of general operations.
• Acquisition money.
• Costs, such as refreshments, associated with social events or fundraising events.
• Construction related costs.
• Projects already underway.

How to Apply:

Please print out the Pre-Application form found on www.cttrust.org and fill in the requested information completely. Pre-Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please note actual grant application deadlines below.

Send completed Pre-Application to:

Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grants
c/o Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation
940 Whitney Avenue Hamden, CT 06517

The HPTAG Review Committee will review the Pre-Application and
applicants will be notified shortly thereafter whether they have been
selected to submit a full grant application.

All applicants MUST work with a  Connecticut Circuit Rider or
Preservation Services Officer in preparing the
full application. The Trust will not accept applications without Circuit
Rider or Preservation Services Officer assistance to the applicant.

Contact Jane Montanaro, Preservation Services Officer, for more information.  

Email: jmontanaro@cttrust.org or Phone: (203) 562-6312.