Ontario Heritage Historic Preservation Grant

Ontario Heritage Historic Preservation Grant Program

Press Release
The 2024 Ontario Heritage Historic Preservation Grants application period has now ended. This year’s Grant awardees will be announced at our Spring Potluck to be held on Sunday, May 19. Please plan on joining us and congratulating this year’s awardees!

If you missed the 2024 application process, be sure to mark your calendars for the 2025 Historic Preservation Grant applications. Beginning November 1, submit your application with “before” photos and a written description of the project you are planning along with an estimate of the cost. Visit OntarioHeritage.org for the application and more information.

About The Program

ONTARIO HERITAGE is proud to be THE local non-profit advocacy organization within the City of Ontario whose mission is the protection and preservation of our city’s architectural heritage.

This year we are pleased to announce the debut of our Historic Preservation Grant Program. A total of $5,000 will be awarded towards the Preservation Grants and we look forward to many years of investing back into our historical assets.

Proceeds from our Historic Home Tours, Historic Cemetery Tours, Historic Walking Tours, as well as your continued memberships fund this program to aid and support owners of historic properties within the City of Ontario.

Applications are available to anyone wishing to restore a structure with historic and or architectural significance in Ontario.

Applicants do not have to be members of Ontario Heritage. Applications should be limited to one selected project, but more than one application is permitted.

Within six weeks of the application submission deadline, a panel of qualified individuals from outside Ontario Heritage and the Ontario area will review the applications and make on-site visits to select the projects to be funded. Ontario Heritage will officially announce the results at their Spring Potluck meeting.

Up to $5,000 (collectively) will be available for the Historic Preservation Grant Program. The Program
provides money and project assistance to local historic property owners for maintenance
and restoration.
The Louise Melton Historic Preservation Grant Program is available to any citizen of the
city of Ontario for any restoration project on a property with historic and or architectural
significance. Grants will be awarded to property owners whose projects best represent the
spirit of historic preservation within Ontario’s historic homes and neighborhoods.
The program helps:
- Complement existing neighborhood preservation projects
- Enhance the quality and value of our historic areas by maintaining and preserving existing
  historic properties.
- Extend the life, appeal and integrity of our architectural legacy for years to come.
The program awards grants up to a maximum of $1,000 for up to 50% of the cost of the
project. Grants will be awarded based on the decision of our panel of judges and decisions
are final.
Priority will be given to exterior restoration, historical authenticity and “curb appeal”
projects. Projects include but are not limited to:
- Historic exterior painting
- Chimney repairs or rebuilds
- Foundation repairs or rebuilds
- Exterior woodwork repair or rebuilds, including trim, rafter tails, beam ends, etc.
- Interior woodwork repair or rebuilds
- Porch and stairway repairs or rebuilds
- Removal and replacement of inappropriate windows or doors to meet historical standards
- Restoration of authentic siding or removal of added stucco to meet historical standards
- Removal of inappropriate fencing

Application Process

Submit the completed application with “before” photos of your project by January 31, 2024
The Preservation Award Committee will then notify the applicants of their project’s eligibility by March 31st and be invited to our 2nd Quarter Potluck Meeting in Spring, 2024 where official announcements will be made.
Eligible applicants will put a small yard sign promoting the Grant Program in their front yard until the specific work is completed. All restoration work must be completed by September 30, 2024
An on-site visit will be conducted for all completed projects between October 1st and November 1st, 2024
Grants will be disbursed upon review of the completed projects, accompanying documentation and “after” photographs. These photographs will be used to document the grant awards and may be used for future illustration of the Grant Program
Note: It is the responsibility of the homeowner to obtain the necessary building permits and Certificate of Appropriateness from the City of Ontario when applicable

Ontario Heritage Historic Preservation Grant Application

Applicant Name(Required)

First Last

Property Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Do you own this property?(Required)

Yes

If you do not own the property, please explain.

Property Owner & Address (If different from above)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Proposed Restoration Project(Required)

Attach Photos Here

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, Max. file size: 50 MB, Max. files: 10.

Estimated Cost(Required)

Please enter a number greater than or equal to 0.

Signature of Applicant(s)(Required)

I hereby release Ontario Heritage, its Board and members from any and all liability regarding the proposed restoration project if I receive a grant, and agree to indemnify Ontario Heritage, its board and members from any and all damages, cost or attorney fees associated with any claims of liability. I understand that this program grants funds to reimburse cost of preservation projects only and Ontario Heritage and its Grant Committee do not themselves approve or disapprove any plans or projects submitted to the Grant Program. I understand it is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain all necessary City permits and Certificates of Appropriateness where applicable.

Furthermore, if I receive a Grant, I fully agree to permit Ontario Heritage to use information and photographs of my project as necessary for promotion and publicity purposes.

I hereby declare that the forgoing information regarding this grant application and restoration project is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Signature of Property Owner(s) if other than Applicant

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.