HPD has partnered with the Georgia Department of Economic Development to offer a special, one-time grant program (Rounds 1 and 2) for historic cemeteries.

The purpose of the grant program is to assist local communities in promoting their historic cemeteries through heritage tourism.

application cover letter
application guidelines
application scoring criteria
application

Eligible projects included research and documentation; interpretation and public information; advertising and marketing; or workshops and training.  "Bricks and mortar" projects are not eligible for this program.

The reimbursable grant funds are 50% state/50% local match and will be awarded on a competitive basis.  The maximum grant award will be $2,500; however, there is no minimum amount, and HPD encourages applications for small projects.

Read the grant program description submitted to the Secretary of State pursuant to the Fair and Open Grants Act of 1939.

The award recipients for Round 1 were announced in October 2008:

 $1,600 to Fitzgerald City Cemetery in Ben Hill Co. for a history/survey

 $1,500 to Riverside Cemetery in Macon, Bibb Co. for a K-12 heritage education program

 $1,500 to West Hill Cemetery in Dalton, Whitfield Co. for tour development, a brochure and signage

 $1,450 to Newton County Cemeteries for a countywide driving tour brochure

 $1,000 to Clay County Cemeteries for a countywide survey and condition assessment report

 $ 950 to Hillcrest Cemetery in East Point, Fulton Co. for a heritage festival - www.hillcrest.graves.org

The award recipients for Round 2 were announced in May 2009:
$2,000 to Georgia Municipal Cemetery Association for a statewide cemetery conference.

$2,000 to Kirkwood Neighbors Association for a condition assessment report and preservation plan for the Clay Cemetery in Atlanta, DeKalb County.

$1,250 to Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society for an interpretative tour at the Marietta City Cemetery in Cobb County.

$1,150 to Historic Augusta for an interpretative tour at Magnolia Cemetery in Augusta, Richmond County.

$1,000 to Friends of Baldwin County Cemeteries, Inc. for a walking tour brochure for the Memory Hill Cemetery in Milledgeville, Baldwin County.

$600 to Lavonia 21st Century, Inc. for a walking tour brochure for the Burgess Cemetery in Lavonia, Franklin County.

You may contact Carole Moore, grants coordinator, at 404-463-8434 or carole.moore@dnr.state.ga.us for more information.

Read our Architectural Technical Assistance articles.