2026 Cultural and Heritage NJ Matching Art or History Grant Program

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners established this grant program to provide direct financial support to qualifying Ocean County nonprofit arts, history, and cultural organizations that have already received competitive grant funding from either the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) or the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC). The program was created to fill a funding gap caused by state regulations that prohibit certain organizations from simultaneously receiving funding through Ocean County's Local Arts Program or County History Partnership Program while also receiving direct grants from the State.

Purpose of the Program

Historically, some of Ocean County's largest and most established arts and history organizations were effectively excluded from County-administered grant programs because they received funding directly from the State. The Board of Commissioners created this matching grant initiative to ensure these organizations continue to receive local support despite those restrictions.

The program specifically targets "flagship" cultural and heritage organizations that serve Ocean County residents and have already demonstrated merit by successfully obtaining State-level funding through a competitive review process.