We Thrive
Through Education & Access
DECORDOVA SCULPTURE PARK & MUSEUM, LINCOLN, MA
Partnership
Grant Program
Reimbursable matching grants are offered in support of the goals and objectives outlined in the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area Management Plan, approved by the Secretary of the Interior in 2015.
NOTE: THE FY26 FUNDING CYCLE CLOSED ON APRIL 15, 2026.
Information for Partners
2026 FUNDING PRIORITIES
A total of $75,000 has been allocated for this funding cycle and will be awarded on a rolling basis beginning on October 1, 2025 through April 15, 2026.
The Freedom’s Way Partnership Grant Program prioritizes programs and projects that:
- Serve as a catalyst for interpretive sites within the region to develop new, creative projects and programs that showcase lesser-known stories and collections in their care,
- Facilitate meaningful interpretive experiences that engage new and diverse audiences and support an inclusive and comprehensive narrative of the region’s history,
- Cultivate a shared stewardship agenda for the Heritage Area through initiatives and programs that interpret, enhance, and preserve the natural and cultural resources of the region for current and future generations,
- Support research, documentation and preliminary interpretation of stories that will lay the foundation for future programs and projects, and/or
- Enhance collective memory, memorialization, civic and social engagement and discourse.
In 2026, every effort will be made to provide funding for projects to organizations and communities through the Heritage Area that have not participated in the Partnership Grant Program in the past.
PREPARING A PROPOSAL
We invite you to send us an email to set up a time to discuss the development of your proposal prior to submitting an online application beginning October 1st. It is our desire to provide as much support as possible to our partners through a collaborative, rather than competitive, process.
We are seeking a variety of proposals, diverse in scale and scope, within the categories of:
- Storytelling ($1,000 – $3,500)
- Education, Interpretation & Curation ($1,000 – $3,500)
- Community Planning & Resource Conservation ($1,000 – $3,500)
- Historic Preservation ($1,000 – $3,500)
- Regional Cultural Events ($500 – $1,500)
- Freedom’s Way 250 ($1,000 – $3,500)
Applications will be accepted and awarded on a rolling basis beginning October 1st, 2025 through April 15, 2026.
A final report with accompanying documentation (as detailed in the Final Report Guidelines), is to be submitted within eight (8) weeks following the anticipated project completion date put forth in the grant proposal, or by September 1st, 2026—whichever comes first. Written requests for an extension due to extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Grantees will be acknowledged in the Heritage Area’s collateral and on its social media platforms.
GUIDELINES & APPLICATION
Please read the 2026 Partnership Grant Program Guidelines prior to preparing and submitting an application.
The Application and preliminary Project Budget Template are available to preview for your convenience.
A slide deck providing background information about the Partnership Grant Program as well as the mechanics of completing an application is available for download.
When you are ready to apply, you may do so via the online application form between October 1, 2025 and April 15, 2026.
Questions and inquiries may be directed to grants@freedomsway.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Announcement
The FY26 Funding Cycle Closed April 15th
For Reference
Partnership Grant Program Walk-through Slides
