January 12, 2023 – Essex Heritage, in keeping with its long tradition of supporting the Essex National Heritage Area’s unique cultural heritage, announced the start of its 25th annual Partnership Grant cycle for 2023. Applications may be submitted anytime between now and Friday, February 24. 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 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.

“I am delighted that we have been able to provide these grants for the last 25 years.  Although the grants are modest in size, we have seen the impact that this seed funding has had on organizations and projects in every community within the Essex National Heritage Area” said Annie Harris, Essex Heritage CEO.

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.” 

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) 226-8154.  

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 25-year old program has invested more than $1.6 million in support of the region’s nationally significant heritage.

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