Upcoming Pennsylvania 2027 Keystone Historic Preservation Construction Grants
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), through the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, offers competitive applicant-facing construction grants to qualifying nonprofit organizations and local governments for eligible Pennsylvania historic resources. This is financial-assistance funding, not a purchasing contract. Applications open December 1, 2026, and close March 1, 2027. No exact closing time or time zone is published in the current PHMC guidance.
Individual Applicant Funding, Match and Payment
$5,000–$100,000 per individual eligible historic-property construction project; commission may make smaller or partial awards. Required 50/50 CASH match; reimbursed after eligible project expenses and signed award. The announced $2,000,000 is overall combined program funding, not an individual grant amount. The cash matching funds can include qualifying organization funds and other grant contributions but cannot be met with in-kind services or existing employee salaries. Funding is reimbursement-based; no expenses incurred before a fully executed award agreement qualify.
Eligible Applicants and Properties
Pennsylvania tax-exempt nonprofits or local government entities incorporated and serving the public for at least five consecutive years, owning or supporting publicly accessible Pennsylvania historic properties listed or eligible for the National Register (or contributing to National Register districts). Public access at least 100 days per year, or documented post-grant opening plans. Applicant must supply SHPO National Register status documentation. For-profit entities, individuals, state/federal agencies and PHMC-operated sites are ineligible.
Supported and Prohibited Uses
Eligible preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of historic buildings, structural/masonry/roof/window repairs, accessibility upgrades, code-related mechanical/electrical work and other eligible preservation construction. Not eligible: new buildings or additions, land acquisition, reconstruction, routine maintenance only, landscaping of non-historic site improvements, standalone planning documents, or unrelated compliance mitigation. All work must meet Secretary of the Interior standards; preservation covenant up to ten years required.
Application Steps and Conditions
Optional pre-application: submit by December 7, 2026 to phmckeystonegrants@pa.gov for eligibility and project guidance. Full application: file online through the Commonwealth Enterprise eGrants system after it opens December 1, 2026, no later than March 1, 2027. PHMC does not accept mailed or emailed full grant applications. Applicants may apply for Planning OR Construction in a funding round, not both. Required documents include current SHPO status confirmation, detailed scope, historical significance, cost estimates, photographs, project budget, match sources, qualified professionals and other eGrants attachments. A Pennsylvania prevailing-wage requirement may apply for publicly funded work above relevant threshold; seek advice. No pre-agreement expenditures reimbursable; project expected Sept 2027 through Sept 2029.
Official Funder Sources and Verification
Official PHMC construction grant program guidelines, eligibility, budget, activities, conditions, timeline and application instructions; PHMC October 21, 2026 new funding-cycle announcement. Verified from official state sources on October 27, 2026. Applicants must check funder amendments and the live eGrants application after December 1 before submitting.