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SBHS Historical Preservation Grant 

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Salmon Brook Historical Society

Community Historic Preservation Grants Policy

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1. Purpose

The Salmon Brook Historical Society (“SBHS”) Community Historic Preservation Grants Program supports the preservation and repair of historically significant structures within the Town of Granby, Connecticut, in order to protect the community’s shared architectural and cultural heritage for public benefit.

Grants are intended to encourage historically appropriate preservation work that maintains the character, integrity, and educational value of Granby’s historic resources.

 

2. Organizational Status

SBHS is a Connecticut nonprofit corporation recognized as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All grants must further SBHS’s charitable and educational mission and comply with federal and state law.  

 

3. Eligible Properties

To be eligible, the property must:

  • Be located within the Town of Granby, Connecticut

  • Be at least 100 years old, or demonstrate documented historical, architectural, or cultural significance

  • Retain sufficient historic integrity to warrant preservation

  • Be used for lawful purposes

Priority may be given to properties that:

  • Are visible from a public way

  • Are associated with significant local history

 

4. Eligible Applicants

Grants up to $10,000 may be awarded to:

  • Private homeowners who own an eligible historic structure in the town of Granby, Connecticut

  • Nonprofit organizations recognized under IRC §501(c)(3)

  • Units of local, state, or federal government

Applicants must demonstrate legal ownership or long-term control of the property.

 

5. Charitable Purpose & Private Benefit Limitation 

All grants are made exclusively for charitable and educational purposes as defined by IRC § 501(c)(3), specifically for the preservation of historic resources for the benefit of the public.

Any private benefit to a homeowner or property owner must be incidental, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to the public benefit of historic preservation. SBHS retains discretion and control over the use of all grant funds.

 

6. Eligible Project Types

Grant funds may be used for:

  • Repair or stabilization of historic structural elements

  • Preservation of original exterior features (roof, siding, windows, foundations)

  • Historically appropriate restoration work

  • Professional preservation planning or assessments

  • Code-required repairs when necessary to preserve historic fabric

All work must follow generally accepted historic preservation standards.

 

7. Ineligible Uses 

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • New construction or additions

  • Interior renovations unrelated to structural preservation

  • Modernization or cosmetic upgrades

  • Landscaping or grounds maintenance

  • Routine maintenance

  • Projects that primarily increase private property value without preservation benefit

  • Political or lobbying activities

  • Religious worship or instruction

 

8. Grant Structure & Safeguards 

To ensure charitable use:

  • Grants are issued as reimbursements upon completion of approved work

  • Only one grant per applicant per year and only one grant per project.

  • SBHS may require:

    • Photographic documentation

    • Receipts and contractor invoices

    • Site visits

  • SBHS reserves the right to:

    • Withhold funds

    • Require repayment if funds are misused

  • SBHS may require a preservation agreement, easement, or covenant for larger awards

 

9. Grant Amounts & Term

  • Typical awards: up to $10,000 per grant

  • Up to 10 grants per year ($100,000 total)

  • Grant period: Once awarded, work may commence and must be completed within 12 months from the grant award

 

10. Application Review & Approval

  • Applications are due each year not later than the close of business on June 1st.

  • Applications will be reviewed by the SBHS Grants Committee

  • Recommendations are submitted to the SBHS Board of Directors 

  • Funding decisions are final and will be made not later than September 1st.

 

11. Public Benefit & Acknowledgment

Recipients must:

  • Allow reasonable documentation of the project for SBHS educational purposes

  • Acknowledge SBHS support in any public materials

  • Permit SBHS to use photographs for noncommercial educational use

 

12. Nondiscrimination

SBHS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or national origin.

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