(TRENTON, NJ) -- Mercer County and the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission (MCC&HC) are now accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY25)'s Local Arts Programs (LAP) Grant Program and History Re-Grant Program.

Now through August 29, 2025, Mercer County cultural, art, and history-based non-profit organizations have the opportunity to apply for funding through these grant programs administered by the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage (MCDC&H). All qualifying applications will be reviewed by an independent grant review panel composed of professionals in the history and art fields. Awarded organizations will be notified by the end of 2025.

“Every year, Mercer County funds amazing projects through both our Local Arts Program and History Re-Grants Program. This allows us to bring arts and history to the forefront from organizations who may not have the same level of exposure,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “We know both arts and history are fantastic tenants to promote both education and economic development alike.”

Mercer County's LAP Grant Program is open to all county-based non-profit [certified as 501(c) (3) or 501(c) (4) agencies by the IRS] organizations that have been in operation and have been providing arts programming/services for at least two years. Units of local government, K–12 schools, and school districts offering special programs in the arts may also apply. This State block-grant program, funded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, provides essential support for the local arts community.

The grants are intended to promote the growth and public accessibility of high-quality, diverse, community arts organizations and projects.

Mercer County’s annual History Re-Grant Program is offered through a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission’s County History Partnership Program (CHPP) and the MCC&HC. History Re-Grants are available to Mercer County-based, non-for-profit history organizations, societies, and sites. History Re-Grants are also available to other Mercer County non-profit organizations offering special programs, services, activities, or materials that relate to the history of the State, County or any of the County’s 12 municipalities. Mercer County-based community and educational entities, including libraries, universities, colleges, and schools may also apply.

“Through these grant programs, the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage (MCDC&H) has been able to invest in the people and projects that keep our cultural heritage thriving,” said Idamis P. Margicin, Division Chief of the MCDC&H. “We look forward to continuing this vital support in 2026 and seeing the inspiring work that lies ahead.”

In Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), the MCDC&H made the switch to a fully digital online grant portal with the intention of simplifying the application process. Non-profit organizations interested in applying to either/both the FY26 Local Arts Programs (LAP) Grant Program and the FY26 History Re-Grant Program may apply by logging in or creating an account.

For more information about Mercer County Culture & Heritage grant opportunities, click here or contact the MCDC&H at (609) 989-6418 or cjohnstone@mercercounty.org.