January 9, 2026 |Grant, News, Non-profits, Resources

Essex Heritage Announces 2026 Partnership Grant Program

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12 Grants to be Awarded to Local Organizations

From Essex heritage: Essex Heritage, in keeping with its long tradition of supporting the Essex National Heritage Area’s unique cultural and natural heritage, announced the start of its 28th annual Partnership Grant cycle for 2026. Grants are $2,000 reimbursed upon completion of the project and require a $4,000 minimum total project cost. Applications may be submitted anytime between now and Monday, February 16, 2026. Non-profit organizations located in Essex County, MA, and municipal entities affiliated with one of the county’s 34 communities are eligible to apply. The application process has been designed with simplicity in mind, and applications should take less than an hour to complete.

Grants are available in four categories:

• Education: Create or further develop educational opportunities for youth.
• Interpretation: Increase awareness and understanding of the region’s cultural heritage.
• Preservation: Preserve or enhance historic structures, landscapes, and cultural resources.
• Accessibility: Provide equitable experiences for residents and visitors to the Essex National Heritage Area.

2026 marks the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution in 1776, with the groundwork having been set in years prior. To commemorate, projects specifically focusing on Essex County connections within the broader “Revolution 250” context will be given special consideration.

All eligible organizations are encouraged to apply. “Over the next year, I am excited to partner with 12 grant recipients in the development and implementation of a broad range of educational, interpretive, accessibility, and preservation projects throughout Boston’s North Shore and the Merrimack Valley, particularly those focusing on Essex County’s Revolutionary history,” stated grants program manager, Charles Smith.

About the Essex Heritage Partnership Grant Program

The Essex Heritage Partnership Grant Program is a matching grant program created to foster and support the stewardship activities of municipalities and organizations that share Essex Heritage’s mission to preserve and enhance the historic, cultural and natural resources of the Essex National Heritage Area (Essex County). Impacting many in the region, the 27-year-old program has invested more than $1.6 million in support of the region’s nationally significant heritage.

About Essex Heritage and the Essex National Heritage Area

Essex Heritage is the non-profit organization that manages the Essex National Heritage Area. Essex Heritage provides programs that enhance, preserve, and encourage recreation, education, conservation, and interpretation projects on Boston’s North Shore and the Lower Merrimack River Valley. The Essex National Heritage Area comprises the 34 cities and towns of Essex County, MA. For more information, visit www.EssexHeritage.org/Programs/Partnership-Grants or call (978) 740-0444.