Opening Doors to Parks, Trails & Water, The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Mini Grant Program is Now Open!
The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor (LHHC) is pleased to announce that the next round of Mini Grants is now open.
This funding cycle prioritizes projects that support access to parks, trails, and water resources throughout the six-county Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. While all eligible applications will be considered, projects that improve access to parks, trails, or water will receive higher priority during the review process.
A total of $60,000 is available for funding.
Resources
About the Mini Grant Program
The LHHC Mini Grant Program supports our mission of identifying, conserving, promoting, and interpreting the cultural, historical, natural, recreational, and economic resources located along Pennsylvania's Lincoln Highway.
These grants provide nonprofit organizations and municipalities with opportunities to demonstrate their commitment to conservation, education, heritage preservation, recreation, and community development within their local communities.
Past Mini Grant funding provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has helped generate more than $1.66 million in economic impact statewide, including $60,000 invested directly into communities throughout the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor.
2026 Funding Priority: Expanding Outdoor Access
According to Pennsylvania's Outdoor Recreation Access data, many communities within the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor fall below statewide averages for convenient access to parks and open space, trails, and water resources.
Through this funding round, LHHC seeks to support projects that help reduce these gaps by:
- Expanding access to parks and open spaces
- Improving trail accessibility and connectivity
- Enhancing access to rivers, streams, lakes, and other water resources
- Increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation and community engagement
Projects addressing these priorities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Eligibility
Mini Grant opportunities are available to:
- Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- Municipalities located within the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor
Eligible counties include:
- Adams
- Bedford
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Somerset
- Westmoreland
Nonprofit organizations must:
- Possess a current 501(c)(3) designation
- Be registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations
- Maintain a current BCO number
All projects require a 25% cash match.
Mini Grants Making an Impact
The most recent Mini Grant round was conducted in 2023, when LHHC awarded $30,000 to seven organizations across the region.
That funding cycle attracted more than $115,000 in funding requests from sixteen organizations and municipalities representing five of the six counties served by LHHC.
Mini Grant funding supports the completion of conservation, education, preservation, recreation, and community enhancement projects that strengthen communities throughout the corridor.
2023–2024 Mini Grant Awardees
Westmoreland-Fayette Historical Society — $6,000
Supported the West Overton wayside interpretive signage project, including ten interpretive panels throughout the West Overton Village and Museums.
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art – Ligonier — $4,000
Supported installation of a rainwater-based efficient watering system for the sculpture garden, enhancing resilience while reducing water consumption.
Fort Loudon Historical Society — $8,500
Supported installation of ten interpretive wayside exhibits at the Fort Loudon site.
Adams County Arts Council — $3,000
Supported Arts Oasis on Lincoln Square, an outdoor arts initiative in downtown Gettysburg.
Westmoreland Performing Arts — $2,500
Supported the stage adaptation of the children's book Go Discover Westmoreland, presented free of charge at local elementary schools.
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy — $3,500
Supported a sinkhole watershed restoration project in Unity Township at the intersection of Fred Rogers Drive (Old Route 30) and Route 30 East.
Westmoreland Cultural Trust — $2,500
Supported exterior marble repair and masonry cleaning at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg.
Previous Awardees
2021 Grant Recipients
- Westmoreland Cultural Trust
- Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra
- Greensburg Art Club
- Latrobe Community Revitalization Program
- Fulton County Historical Society
- Totem Pole Playhouse
- Franklin County Historical Society-Kittochtinny
Funding Acknowledgment
The Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
Funding for Mini Grants is financed in part through a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program and the Heritage Areas Program Fund under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
All applicable DCNR grant terms and conditions apply to awarded projects.
