In 2025, the National Aviation Heritage Alliance awarded more than $145,000 to projects and programs.
Large Grant Fund
This fund awards grants above $5,000 with a recommended maximum of $75,000. The grants are a sub-award of federal dollars to be used as an economic catalyst advancing the National Aviation Heritage Area. The grants are available for a variety of activities including, but not limited to planning, consultation, interpretation, workshops, events, preservation, collections, exhibits, aircraft maintenance/preservation, marketing & promotion, and wayfinding & signage. All projects must support the mission of the National Aviation Heritage Area which is: to preserve and develop the assets of the National Aviation Heritage Area and to promote aviation heritage and the future of aerospace.
Each application will be scored against five weighted criteria:
- Aligns with the Mission of NAHA: what is the benefit of the project to NAHA?
- Justification: what is the rationale for and significance of the project?
- Feasibility: does the application demonstrate an understanding of the personnel, material, budget, and timelines required to successfully execute the project?
- Matching funds: while 1:1 is required, a higher ratio of matching funds is desired.
- Other: of particular interest is a project that aligns with one or more of the following:
- advances our region’s community identity with aviation heritage and/or the aviation industry;
- is regional or multi-county in scope;
- includes active partnership between multiple aviation or space organizations;
- was vetted through the Dayton Development Coalition’s PDAC process; or
- is documented in a larger community or regional master plan.
Download the Full Grant Instructions Here
Download the Large Grant Budget Worksheet Here
Note: The application form will save your progress.
