Nonprofit organizations and local government units within the certified boundaries of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area are eligible to apply for two types of matching grants: Project grants awarded by the Maryland Heritage Area Authority (MHAA) and Mini-grants awarded by the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area (HCWHA) Advisory Board. All are matching grant programs. The MHAA grant awards may be as high as $50,000 for non-capital projects or $100,000 for capital projects.  "Proposals should align with the goals and priorities described in the HCWHA Management Plan," said Elizabeth Scott Shatto, Director of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area.

The first step in assessing whether a project is a "fit" for one of these opportunities is to determine its relevance to the HCWHA management plan and to verify the project's location within the certified boundaries of the heritage area. For details, contact the heritage area director, or go to www.heartofthecivilwar.org for more information.

The certified boundaries of the Heart of the Civil War include Carroll, Frederick and Washington Counties.

For those interested in applying, two important deadlines are approaching for MHAA project grants.  Intent to Apply forms are due January 31, 2013, and final applications are due February 28, 2013.  For more information, sign up for one of the following grant workshops:

January 9th:  1-3 p.m.  Washington County Rural Heritage Museum - 7313 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro, Md. 301-600-4042.
January 10th: 9-11a.m.  Frederick Visitor Center - 151 South East Street, Frederick, Md.
January 10th: 1-3 p.m.  Cockey's Tavern 216 East Main Street, Westminster, Md.  301-600-4042.