The Richland County Conservation Commission (RCCC) provides historic preservation grants to assist landowners to preserve, restore, or rehabilitate historically significant buildings or sites in Richland County and to develop educational and research programs that promote historic preservation in Richland County. Grants are available up to $50,000.
Eligible Applicants
The following applicants are eligible for RCCC’s Historic Preservation grants:
- Non-profit organizations
- Governmental agencies
- Educational institutions
- Commercial entities
Applicant organizations must have been in existence for at least one (1) year prior to requesting funds. Landowners of private buildings not open to the public are not eligible.
Grant Process and Timeline
Timeline Snapshot
- December 1, 2025: Application portal opens
- February 1, 2026: Application portal closes
- March 2026: Applicants present to the Historic Committee
- July 2026: Grants are awarded
Process
Applications open on December 1, 2025. The deadline for receipt of applications is February 1, 2026. Applications must be received by the deadline. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. The Historic Committee will review and rate each application based on the evaluation measures described below.
Short presentations will be scheduled for March. Committee recommendations are presented to the Richland County Conservation Commission for approval and then submitted to Richland County Council for final approval in the County budget.
Recipients will be notified of grant awards in July. Project activities may not begin until grant agreements have been signed in July.
Criteria
Eligible Buildings and Sites
Grant applications for buildings or sites must first be determined historically significant. Buildings or sites that are automatically eligible:
- Buildings or sites on the National Register of Historic Places
- Buildings or sites that have been deemed eligible for the Register
- Buildings or sites listed by the Richland County Bicentennial Committee (1981)
- City of Columbia Historic Landmarks
- Buildings or sites designated historic by the Town of Blythewood
For all other properties, the Historic Building Eligibility Application(PDF, 158KB) must be submitted to and approved by RCCC before a grant application can be considered.
Eligible Activities or Expenses
- Preservation/restoration/rehabilitation costs
- Fees for consultant costs (feasibility and adaptive reuse studies, conditions assessment, plans and specifications)
- Educational or research programs that promote the history of Richland County, Richland County’s historic resources, or historic preservation in Richland County
Ineligible Activities or Expenses
- Routine maintenance
- New construction
- Work that has already been completed
- Overhead or indirect costs
- Food, travel, or event expenses
- Landscaping
For historic buildings, applicant and contractors must adhere to RCCC Historic Preservation Standards and Guidelines.
Budget
Historic Preservation Grants are an 80% / 20% matching program. Applicants must demonstrate a 20% match for funds received. In-kind services may count toward matching funds; however, rate of pay (i.e. $/hour) must be specified and reasonable for any in-kind personnel costs. Costs incurred will be reimbursed through invoice to RCCC as work is completed and approved. Reimbursements will not be allowed for work completed prior to the signed grant agreement.
The budget should reflect the actual costs of achieving the objectives of the project proposed in the application narrative. Be specific about expenditures. Budget items should be based on three (3) or more quotes.
Application Evaluation
Complete, on-time applications will be rated according to the following criteria.
- Historical Significance: Explain the historical event, person(s), or architectural style represented in the project.
- Level of Threat: What are the immediate or long-term threats to the property?
- Public Benefit: How will the public benefit from the project? Will there be public access or usage?
- Budget: Detail and reasonableness of budget; proof of match; amount (%) of in-kind vs. cash match; other funding organizations.
- Project as Catalyst: How will this project create more preservation and/or economic development activity in the community?
- Educational Component: How does the project increase public awareness and involvement in historic preservation?
- Qualifications of Personnel: What are the relevant experiences, knowledge, and skills of the people involved in the tasks cited that ensure the tasks can be completed?
- Partnerships: What other entities are involved with and support this project?
- Quality of Proposal: Organization, feasibility of project activities, and timeline for implementing and conducting major activities.
- Grant History: If applicable, explain previous RCCC grant performance.
- Ongoing Effort: How will the practices/programs be sustained?
Reporting Requirements and Project Deadline
Quarterly reports are due in October, January, and April. A final report is due upon completion of the project. The deadline for completion of projects is June 15, 2027. No extensions beyond June 30, 2027 will be granted.
Acknowledgement
Property projects must have a visible sign acknowledging RCCC funding. Educational projects must acknowledge RCCC funding on written materials, websites, videos, etc.
Freedom of Information Act Notice
Please be advised that all materials submitted for RCCC grant funding are subject to disclosure consistent with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Applicants who are not a governmental agency, church, or commercial entity must submit a current Secretary of State Charitable Organization Registration letter. Call the Secretary of State’s Public Charities Division at 803-734-1790 to determine eligibility. This is NOT the IRS 501(c)(3) letter NOR the Secretary of State Certificate of Incorporation.
Application Submission
RCCC grant applications must be submitted online using Zoom Grants. The application is available at RCCC - Historic & Natural Resources Grants. Photos must be sent electronically in .jpg format and can be used by RCCC. Late, incomplete, paper, or faxed applications will not be accepted. Materials and photos will not be returned.
Additional Resources
For assistance in completing an application, please refer to the RCCC Grant Applicant Training Handout(PDF, 222KB) and the Applicant Training Slideshow.
Questions
For technical questions, check Zoom Grants University. Contact Technical Support at 866-323-5404 extension 2 or email questions@zoomgrants.com.
For all other questions, contact John McKenzie at mckenzie.john@richlandcountysc.gov or 803-576-2083.
The following list outlines the Standards for Rehabilitation.
- A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment.
- The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided.
- Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken.
- Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their own right shall be retained and preserved.
- Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved.
- Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.
- Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible.
- Significant archaeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken.
- New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment.
- New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.