January 3, 2024 – Essex Heritage, in keeping with its long tradition of supporting the Essex National Heritage Area’s unique cultural heritage, announced the start of its 26th annual Partnership Grant cycle for 2024. Grants are $2,000 reimbursed upon completion of the project and require a $4,000 minimum total project cost. Applications may be submitted anytime between now and Friday, February 23, 2024. Non-profit organizations located in Essex County, MA, and municipal entities affiliated with one of the county’s 34 communities are eligible to apply. The application process has been designed with simplicity in mind, and applications should take less than an hour to complete.

Grants are available in four categories:
- Education: Create or further develop educational opportunities for youth.
- Interpretation: Increase awareness and understanding of the region’s cultural heritage.
- Preservation: Preserve or enhance historic structures, landscapes, and cultural resources.
- Access and Inclusion: Provide equitable experiences for residents and visitors to the Essex National Heritage Area.

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 1776, with the groundwork having been set in years prior. Starting in 2024, projects specifically focusing on Essex County connections within the broader “Revolution 250” context will be given special consideration.

The grants program manager Charles Smith encourages all eligible organizations to apply, “Over the next year, I am looking forward to assisting 12 grant recipients in the implementation of a diverse range of educational, interpretive, accessibility, and preservation projects throughout Boston’s North Shore and the Merrimack Valley, especially those focusing on Essex County’s Revolutionary history.” 

About the Essex Heritage Partnership Grant Program
The Essex Heritage Partnership Grant Program is a matching grant program created to foster and support the stewardship activities of municipalities and organizations that share Essex Heritage’s mission to preserve and enhance the historic, cultural and natural resources of the Essex National Heritage Area (Essex County). Impacting many in the region, the 26-year-old program has invested more than $1.6 million in support of the region’s nationally significant heritage.

About Essex Heritage and the Essex National Heritage Area
Essex Heritage is the non-profit organization that manages the Essex National Heritage Area. Essex Heritage provides programs that enhance, preserve, and encourage recreation, education, conservation, and interpretation projects on Boston’s North Shore and the Lower Merrimack River Valley. The Essex National Heritage Area comprises the 34 cities and towns of Essex County, MA. For more information, visit www.EssexHeritage.org or call (978) 740-0444.