We’re pleased to share an exciting update about the Historical African American Cemetery and Graves Fund. Recent amendments to the Commonwealth’s biennium budget, approved by the General Assembly, have provided additional support, enabling DHR to continue and expand the program with $400,000 in funding for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

The African American Cemeteries and Graves Fund (AACGF) provide grants to support the ongoing care and maintenance of historic burial grounds established on or before January 1, 1948, specifically for the interment of African Americans. At the start of each state fiscal year (July 1), the Department of Historic Resources (DHR) announces the availability of funding for these cemeteries, which are defined under the Code of Virginia §10.1-2211.2. Entities listed in this Code section, as well as all other qualified organizations, are required to submit an annual application to the Department by May 30 to receive funding for cemetery maintenance. 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUND

Graves that meet the following conditions will be considered eligible for funding:

1. Individuals born prior to 1900 (regardless of death date)
2. Individuals born on or after January 1, 1900, and interred prior to 1948
   • Birth and/or interment dates may be confirmed through headstone inscriptions, vital records, church records, newspaper obituaries, on-line databases with cemetery records and other information sources. We will also accept the results of ground penetrating radar (GPR) with prior approval from the Department of Historic Resources. Please review DHR’s Notice Regarding Ground Penetrating Radar and note that DHR cannot retroactively pay for GPR.

GRANT OPPORTUNITES

The fund offers two grant opportunities: the Basic Maintenance Grant and the Extraordinary Block Grant. New applicants must first apply for and receive a Basic Maintenance Grant—awarded at a rate of $5 per eligible grave—before qualifying for a block grant to support “extraordinary maintenance” projects.  Some examples of each grant are as follows:

• Basic Maintenance Grant: vegetation management, care of existing markers and monuments, and in-kind repair of existing roads, paths and parking areas.
• Extraordinary Block Grant: installation of replacement markers, preservation planning and pre-approved Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey.

Please review the program manual to become familiar with the grant requirements in their entirety. And note that the contents of this manual are subject to change.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Applications may be filed by property owners, charitable organizations established primarily to care for African American cemeteries, and local governments:

• Property owners must provide proof of ownership and register with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) or be determined exempt from Churches are exempt from this requirement.
• Charitable organizations must confirm their status as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, provide documentation of their mission, and be registered with VDACS or be determined exempt from
• Local governments applying for funds to care for cemeteries within their jurisdictions must provide either proof of ownership or formal determination that the cemetery in question is abandoned.

Application, Program Manual and Forms

-2025-2026 AACGF Application

-AACGF Program Manual

-Acknowledgement of Reporting Requirements Form

-VA Substitute W9 Form

-Reconciliation of Expenditures Form

-Citizen’s Guide to Cemetery Maintenance

-Preservation Planning Guidelines

2025-2026 Grant Cycle

-application submissions begin July 1, 2025

-the fund closes on May 30, 2026

-Reconciliation of Expenditures form due on or before September 30, 2025 (previous year award grantees)

ANNUAL REPORTING

Organizations having received funds in the previous fiscal year (2024-2025) must complete and submit a Reconciliation of Expenditures form as agreed to in the Acknowledgement of Reporting Requirements document in the application package. Disbursement of current year funds will not take place until this document is received and accepted. A template to assist in completing these requirements may be found here: AA Reporting Template

Please forwarded completed applications and supporting documentation to:
Virginia Department of Historic Resources-AACGF

2801 Kensington Avenue
Richmond, VA 23221
or email to: aacgf@dhr.virginia.gov

If you have questions or need additional assistance, please email aacgf@dhr.virginia.gov