Wilson Encourages Residents to Apply for 2019 Ohio History Fund Grant

COLUMBUS—State Senator Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) is encouraging southwest Ohio residents who are actively seeking funding for projects related to the historic preservation of their community to apply now for the Ohio History Fund Grant sponsored by the Ohio History Connection. "The Ohio History Connection has been a strong advocate and resource for preserving Ohio's expansive history and architecture," said Wilson. "I strongly encourage our residents to apply for this grant opportunity to help support our community's many important historical projects." In 2016, a $3,972 grant was awarded to the Warren County Historical Society for the “In Honor & Remembrance Oral History Project.” The funding helped the county veterans’ services office to collect approximately 40 oral histories from area veterans. The stories are now shared on their website and in an exhibit at the Warren County Historical Society’s museum. Signed into law in 2011, the Ohio History Fund "tax check-off" allows Ohioans to contribute tax-deductible donations to state and local history projects on their state personal income tax form. Donations to the Ohio History Fund are used to fund local history projects throughout Ohio through a competitive grant program. In order to qualify, projects must fall under one of three categories—Brick & Mortar, Organizational Development and Programs & Collections. The History Fund has made a total of $598,000 in grants to 63 different organizations supporting these efforts since 2012. For more information on how to complete the application, including a sample application and detailed instructions, visit https://www.ohiohistory.org/preserve/local-history-office/history-fund/history-fund-application. The deadline to apply for the History Fund Grant is September 5, 2018, and grant recipients will be announced at the annual Statehood Day on February 27, 2019.