Michigan History Alliance Grants program open

Small to Mid-size groups encouraged to apply

By Barb Pert Templeton

The 2026 Michigan History Alliance Grant Program is currently taking applications and the deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2025.

The grants are intended to provide funding for small- to medium-size history organizations in Michigan. A statement on the Historical Society of Michigan website further explained that many grant programs require extensive preparation and reporting. It often means smaller organizations have little realistic chance of seeing their proposals funded because they are competing with larger organizations with professional staffs of experienced grant writers. Moreover, many grant programs focus their funding on large, new programs, whereas smaller organizations often need money for more basic needs.

“Applying for an MHA Grant should be simple enough that a volunteer can write it in a couple of hours,” according to a statement on the Historical Society of Michigan website.

Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Robert Myers, Director of History Programming, Historical Society of Michigan to pose some questions about the grant opportunities

Blue Water Healthy Living: How old is the grant program today?

Director of History Programming Robert Myers: We introduced the MHA Grant Program in 2022 and awarded the first grants in January 2023.

BWHL: How many applications does the program receive (roughly) each year?

Myers: We receive about 80 grant applications each year.

BWHL: What’s the basic criteria for applying for a grant?

Myers: Applicants must be a certified IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit, city, or tribal history organization located in the state of Michigan.

Applicants must be an organizational member of the Historical Society of Michigan (HSM) and have been a member for at least one year prior to the grant application date.

Applicant organizations must have an annual operating budget under $250,000.

Applicant organizations can apply for no more than one grant per calendar year.

Applicant organizations must not have received an MHA Grant within the most recent two cycles.

BWHL: How many grants will be awarded in this current round closing in Nov. 2025?

Myers: We will award at least 12 grants.

BWHL: What dollar amount does the organization have to award grants in Nov.?

Myers: We will have a total of $30,000 to award this year.

BWHL: What’s the range, lowest to highest dollar amount, that can be awarded to grantees?

Myers: The maximum MHA Grant award is $2,500. There is no minimum.

BWHL: What is the purpose of the grant narrative that must be submitted with each application?

Myers: The grant narrative’s purpose is to provide a brief history of the applicant organization and a description of how MHA Grant funds will be used to help the organization fulfill its mission.

BWHL: Can you share a few examples of the type of grant applications that might be perfect for this application process?

Myers: Past grant awards have funded the purchase of office equipment; computers and software; building restoration and maintenance; exhibit production; collections care, preservation, and conservation; and public programs.

BWHL: Does the size of the historical society applying matter when it comes to getting the funding?

Myers: As noted above, applicant organizations must have an annual operating budget under $250,000.

BWHL: When will the grant winners be announced and when might they receive the funding?

Myers: Grant winners will be announced in mid-January. Funds will be released after receipt of a letter of acceptance from the organization.