New York State Historical Marker Grant Program
One of the William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s core initiatives is helping people celebrate their community’s history by providing grants to fully fund historical markers. Markers play an important role in local historic preservation by serving a dual purpose. They educate the public and foster tourism, which can provide much-needed economic benefits to the cities, towns and villages where the markers are placed.
The Pomeroy Foundation’s NYS historical marker program commemorates significant people, places, and events in New York State after 1683 and 100 years prior to the year of application. Since 2006, we have funded more than 1,150 of these markers in all 62 counties. In doing so, this grant program fills an important gap, as the state stopped funding its marker program in 1939.
Before applying, please take the time to review the information on this page, as well as on our Marker Criteria, Primary Sources, and FAQ pages in the tabs above. Our requirements and guidelines are detailed on these pages.
Ready to apply? Review the information here, then click on the Apply button to go to our online application portal.
If you are familiar with our application process, get started here: Apply for Grant
Eligibility to Apply
This grant program is open to local, state and federal government entities, nonprofit academic institutions and 501(c)(3) organizations in New York State. Applicants may apply for up to five (5) historical markers per grant round. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact an eligible local organization, such as a municipal historian or historical organization.
Historical Marker Design and Text
The colors of this program’s markers are blue with yellow lettering and border. Markers are 18” x 32” cast aluminum with a 7’ aluminum pole. The title line allows 15 characters, and the five body lines can have 27 characters each, including spaces and punctuation. All markers include a William G. Pomeroy Foundation credit line. This text is included at the bottom of every marker. Each marker also will also be numbered according to its place in our NYS historical marker series.
Please see our Marker Criteria page for more information, as well as this helpful guide.
Historical Accuracy
Primary source documentation is required to verify historical accuracy. The applying agency is responsible for providing images or scans of sources and specific statements used to verify historical facts. Lists of links alone will not be accepted. If the Pomeroy Foundation cannot substantiate the historical accuracy based on the supporting documentation provided, the grant application will not be successful.
Please see our Primary Sources page for more information, as well as a helpful guide.
Marker Placement
Please carefully consider the location where the marker is to be installed.
- Markers should not be placed on high-traffic roadways or roadways where vehicles are traveling at a high rate of speed if there is no place for a vehicle to safely pull over out of traffic.
- Markers should not be placed where the visitor must intrude on private property to read it or view a site related to the marker inscription.
- Before installing your marker, please be sure you are following all of your state guidelines around digging and excavation.
For more information about marker location recommendations, see our Marker Criteria page.
Application Procedure
We only offer an online application. The grant application has two parts: The Letter of Intent (LOI) and the application. The LOI is a required first step and allows Foundation staff to determine if additional primary sources are required and if the proposed marker text fits our criteria before the applicant completes a full grant application. Typically, LOIs are responded to within one week. You cannot access the full application until the LOI is approved.
LOIs must include the following:
- A list of primary source citations
- A proposed inscription for the marker
Applications must include the following:
- A proposed installation location with specific details (including GPS coordinates and an optional photo upload)
- A brief description and explanation of the historical significance of what is being commemorated
- A proposed inscription for marker
- A letter from the landowner granting permission for the marker to be installed on their property
- Primary source documents verifying the proposed inscription
Evaluation can take up to three months after submission. You may be contacted for additional information, so be sure to use an email that is checked regularly.
Approved marker grants are fully funded and include the marker, pole, and shipping costs. If approved, the Foundation will send a Letter of Agreement to be signed. When the letter is signed, a check is mailed for the total amount made payable to the applying agency. The agency is responsible for cashing the check, then issuing the payment to the foundry and sending in the order form provided. Instructions for ordering the marker will accompany the grant check. The grant recipient is responsible for installation of the marker, and we provide an installation guide as well.
For more detailed instructions, see our How to Apply guide: How to Apply
Application Deadlines
Important Dates
2025 ROUND 2
- 10/6/25 – Application becomes available online
- 11/3/25 – Deadline to submit Letter of Intent (LOI) to verify primary sources.
- 12/8/25 – Application deadline
- March 2026 – Grants awarded
2026 ROUND 1
- 4/6/26 – Application becomes available online
- 5/4/26 – Deadline to submit Letter of Intent (LOI) to verify primary sources.
- 6/12/26 – Application deadline
- September 2026 – Grants awarded
Please note, student-led applications for NYS Historic markers will be accepted on a rolling basis through our Pomeroy Education Program. Educators may complete the LOI with their students at any time. Go to our education program page for more information.
Questions?
Contact Christy at info@wgpfoundation.org or 315-913-4060, Monday – Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm (EST).