Original article written for The Derrick posted 15 May 2026

The Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism invites eligible entities to apply for the 2026 Outdoor Recreation and Heritage Mini-Grant Program to fund projects and programs that sustain, promote or enhance outdoor recreation offerings in the Oil Region National Heritage Area.

The historical significance of the Oil Region National Heritage Area (ORNHA) is the birthplace of the modern oil industry. ORNHA, which is managed by the ORA, includes all of Venango County, along with Titusville, Hydetown and Oil Creek Township in Crawford County.

“This is a great opportunity for nonprofit organizations and educational entities to implement smaller outdoor rec and heritage projects,” ORA Outdoor Recreation Manager Kim Harris said in a news release.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501c3 organizations currently registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations, municipalities and counties. Projects must have a significant connection to outdoor recreation in and/or the heritage of the ORNHA.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Educational and/or media pieces that promote ORNHA recreation or heritage
  • New or revised brochures, pamphlets, maps, etc.
  • Installation of recreation amenities, such as bike repair stations, benches, etc.
  • Videos highlighting the region’s recreational opportunities or heritage
  • Creation of new wayside materials (interpretive panels, historical markers, etc.)
  • Enhancement, repair, or creation of historical exhibits
  • Materials to properly preserve/store historic artifacts for future use
  • Arrangement of public historical events (speakers, demonstrations, workshops, tours, etc.)

Eligible entities may apply for more than one project so long as the total costs for the projects do not exceed $25,000 and the total grant request does not exceed $5,000.

A 50% match is required.

All eligible and interested parties must complete an application for their project(s), which can be found at OilRegion.org/the-alliance/news/.

Applicants seeking more information may contact Harris, at kharris@oilregion.org, or ORA Heritage Program Manager Abigail Watson-Popescu, at apopescu@oilregion.org or 814-677-3152.

Applications, which are due Aug. 3, will be scored by a review committee. Applicants will be notified of award decisions on or around Sept 1. Projects must be completed and funds must be expended by June 1, 2027.

The grants are reimbursable, meaning awardees are responsible for paying up front and must submit receipts for reimbursement. The ORA will make payments within 30 days of receipt of the required proof of payment.

Funding for minigrants is financed in part with a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, the Heritage Areas Program Fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

“We look forward to seeing a variety of new projects and programs supported by these grants in the Oil Region,” Watson-Popescu said.

About Oil Region Alliance
The mission of the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism is to manage the Oil Region National Heritage Area and to increase the prosperity of the Oil Region by enticing all people to live, work, learn and play in “the Valley that Changed the World” through the preservation, promotion, development, and support of historical, educational, natural, recreational, residential, commercial and industrial destinations.

Oil Region National Heritage Area