CLG Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Funding for Local Units of Government

National Park Service

African American Civil Rights Grant Program: The African American Civil Rights (AACR) program documents, interprets, and preserves sites and stories related to the African American struggle to gain equal rights as citizens.
- Project Types: Planning, development, and research projects for historic sites including survey, inventory, documentation, interpretation, education, architectural services, historic structure reports, preservation plans, and "bricks and mortar" repair
- Eligible Applicants: States, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofits
- Link: www.nps.gov

History of Equal Rights Grant Program: The History of Equal Rights (HER) grant program provides funding to preserve and protect sites associated with efforts to achieve equal rights.
- Project Types: Pre-development studies, architectural plans and specifications, historic strutcure reports, and physical preservation projects
- Eligible Applicants: States, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofits
- Link: www.nps.gov

Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program: The Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program fosters economic development in rural communities through the rehabilitation of historic buildings in those communities. The program provides recipients (referred to as prime grantees) with a single grant that is then regranted in smaller amounts to individual projects (subgrants).
- Project Types: Architectural/engineering services and "bricks and mortar" preservation projects
- Eligible Applicants: State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, Certified Local Governments, and nonprofits
- Link: www.nps.gov

Save America's Treasures Grant Program: The Save America’s Treasures (SAT) grant program was established in 1998 to celebrate America's premier cultural resources in the new millennium.
- Project Types: Preservation projects for properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places (individually or part of a district) for national significance or designated a National Historic Landmark
- Eligible Applicants: States, Tribes, local governments, nonprofits, educational institutions
- Link: www.nps.gov

What is required to become a CLG?

At a basic level, all communities across the country that wish to participate in the CLG program must agree to meet 5 simple but structured requirements established by the National Park Service, which provide a foundation for successful local preservation activities:

Enact a local historic district ordinance that allows for the designation and protection of historic properties;
Appoint an adequate and qualified historic district commission responsible for reviewing changes in local historic districts;
Plan for the incremental survey and inventory of historic resources over time;
Provide for adequate public participation in the local preservation program; and
Satisfactorily perform the responsibilities delegated to it through the CLG program, including compliance with SHPO reporting requirements.

It is important to note that Michigan’s CLG program recognizes that communities across the state vary widely in their size, capacity, and resources; not all communities have the ability to hire full-time professional staff with a background in preservation; and preservation tools and activities will look different across the state. As such, SHPO has placed a priority on developing a program that is both grounded in a consistent framework of support and as flexible as possible to allow communities of different capabilities, capacities, and resources to participate in the program if they have an interest.

While CLGs are required to meet the minimum standards developed by the National Park Service, each community is given the power to outline how it will meet the requirements in a way that is both meaningful and achievable for the local community.

Does a community have obligations after it is certified?

It is expected that local units of government entering the CLG program will uphold the program standards by continuing to meet National Park Service requirements; maintaining a committment to historic preservation at the local level; and engaging in a partnership with SHPO. This includes coordinating with SHPO for actions such as changes to the district ordinance, developing preservation plans and design guidelines, and undertaking surveys of historic resources. CLGs also submit a brief annual report of preservation activities each year and participate in an in-person evaluation every four years.

Can a community lose CLG designation after it is certified?

Once certified, a community remains in the CLG program unless the local government withdraws from the program or SHPO decertifies the community for persistent failure to meet program requirements. SHPO is responsible for ensuring that communities participating in the CLG program satisfactorily meet NPS requirements. If through the course of ongoing discussions and program evaluations SHPO determines that a CLG has routinely failed to make an earnest attempt to meet these requirements, SHPO may, at its discretion, initiate a decertification process.

Who do I talk to if I want more information?

Contact SHPO's CLG Coordinator to discuss the program, benefits, and requirements. SHPO's CLG Coordinator is happy to meet with local stakeholders, planning staff, officials, commissioners and others to discuss the program and help guide you through the process.

We are already certified, how do we apply for grants?

Annual grant rounds for CLGs typically open in July, with applications due in October. For additional information on the CLG grants and current funding rounds, see SHPO's CLG grant program page.

Funding for Historic Preservation

National Park Service