Please read the instructions below before completing the application. It is recommended that you print these instructions before going to the application form. Instructions for the Cultural Impact Questionnaire are included within the form.
The forms will need to be completed on your computer, and then printed, signed and delivered by mail or in-person. You cannot save them to your computer.
Links to the required forms are here:
Be certain to provide all requested information. If you do not know your legislative district number, please visit www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/ . Do not use the names of legislators.
Be sure to complete the Applicant Profile. Describe your organization’s purpose, mission, primary discipline areas and primary service area.
Provide a descriptive, clear, and concise Project Title and Project Summary. These will be used in press releases issued by the State Historical Society.
Carefully select your proposed project dates. Applicants have a maximum of 30 months (2 ½ years) to complete their projects. Applicants should plan to begin their projects in February following the September grant deadline. Thus, applicants submitting a grant request in September 2009 should plan to have a signed contract by February 2010. The project would need to be completed within 2 ½ years of February 2010, i.e., by July 2012.
In the HSPG Program, the term “historical site” means a property that is listed or declared eligible by the state historic preservation officer for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, or a facility in which Iowa’s history or the heritage of Iowa’s people is interpreted. Historical sites shall relate to the human occupation of Iowa, but may be of prehistoric or historic age.
Projects funded with HSPG monies can only be used on properties meeting this definition of “historical site.” On the application form, indicate whether your property is on or eligible for the National Register, or whether it is a facility that interprets Iowa history. You will need to provide evidence of the property’s National Register status.
Signify whether there is any federal involvement in your project. Federal involvement could include funding, licensing, or permitting. If there is federal involvement in your project, list the name of the federal agency.
List all expenses associated with the proposed project.
Indicate which expenses are to be charged to the HSPG funds, and which expenses are to be paid by the cash match. Be sure to refer to the “Restrictions & Administrative Rules” section of the web site. It contains important information about allowable expenditures.
To be eligible for a grant, your total cash match must be at least 100% of whatever amount you are requesting in grant funds. The minimum grant request—and thus the minimum cash match required—is $40,000.
Provide details of your cash match. Where will you be getting the matching dollars? Please note that other state dollars cannot be used as match for the HSPG grant.
Carefully read the conditions of the grant. The original must be signed by the person having authority to obligate the applicant organization.
Answer all questions. If the grant applicant does not currently own the historical site and the proposed project includes development of the historical site, then the property owner's signature must be obtained. If the project includes acquisition, the current owner's signature is not required.
Each grant is scored on the degree to which the proposed project clearly and concisely addresses the following narrative questions. Go to “Review Criteria” for information on how applications are evaluated.
Follow the instructions and respond to the questions listed below in the order they are listed. Failure to follow this prescribed format may result in your application being declared ineligible. Handwritten applications will be declared ineligible.
Provide a detailed description of the project for which HSPG funds are requested. Also include information on the relationship of this grant project to the overall master project. (Not scored, but vital to understanding your grant application.)
1. Historical or cultural significance of the project
Describe the historical or cultural significance of the project, and evaluate the degree to which the project is of state, regional, or national significance. How will this project contribute to that significance?
2. Quality of plans to interpret the historical resource
How will the history of your site be interpreted for the public? How will this site be used to encourage an understanding of Iowa’s history or the heritage of its people?
3. Educational opportunities
How will your project enhance educational opportunities for a broad and diverse audience? Restrict your description to educational opportunities developed as a direct result of this grant.
4. Future viability
How will your organization ensure the future viability of the historic resource? What are your plans for ongoing operation and maintenance of the property?
5. Scope of work/budget (this portion is combined with your budget page
Explain the work plan and the budget for your project. Include each step and the cost of each step.
The State Historical Society is committed to the preservation of Iowa’s historic and prehistoric resources. We do not want grant recipients to inadvertently harm one resource while trying to protect another resource.
By their very nature, almost all HSPG projects include excavation or other ground disturbance. Careful planning can ensure that archaeological resources are considered during your HSPG project. If your project includes such things as excavating, grading, paving, or landscaping, you will probably want to include the costs of an archaeological survey in your budget.
If your project includes changes to a building or structure that is greater than 50 years of age, find out whether that building or structure is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
I. Cultural Impact Questionnaire
To begin to address these issues, State Historical Society staff has developed the Cultural Impact Questionnaire. HSPG applicants must complete this form and submit it as part of the application package. The Cultural Impact Questionnaire is reviewed by staff in our historic preservation office, as an aid in assessing the effect of the proposed project.
Instructions are included in the questionnaire.
Pursuant to 2008 Iowa Acts, HF 2393, Iowa Code Section 8.11, all grant applications submitted to the State of Iowa which are due beginning January 1, 2009 shall include a Minority Impact Statement. This is the state’s mechanism to require grant applicants to consider the potential impact of the grant project’s proposed programs or policies on minority groups.
In your application package, please include a signed and dated original plus eleven (11) collated copies. You must include the collated copies, or your application is not eligible for review. Please note that incomplete applications are ineligible.
Please assemble your application in the following order:
Staple your application in the upper left corner. Please do not add any other cover or binding material.
Please send your application package (signed, dated, and collated original plus eleven collated copies) by the grant deadline to:
Kristen Vander Molen
Grants Manager
State Historical Society of Iowa
600 E Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0290
Contact kristen.vandermolen@iowa.gov.
