The FY2027 African American Cemetery and Graves Fund Grant Cycle Is Now Open

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources is pleased to announce that the Fiscal Year 2027 African American Cemetery and Graves Fund (AACGF) grant cycle is now open. Read on to learn more, find out if a grave or cemetery is eligible for funding, and get the latest AACGF updates.

By Angel Williams | African American Cemeteries & Graves Fund Coordinator

Building on a record year of funding and statewide participation, the AACGF continues to provide financial assistance for the care, maintenance, documentation, and preservation of Virginia's historic African American cemeteries and burial grounds.

This year, applicants will notice several improvements designed to make the program more accessible and easier to navigate. DHR has released an updated Program Manual and Grant Guidelines that includes clear guidance on funding opportunities, application procedures, and eligibility and reporting requirements.

In addition, new checklists, reference materials, and technical guidance documents have been developed to help applicants prepare stronger and more complete funding requests.

Property owners, charitable organizations, and local governments are encouraged to review the updated materials and contact DHR early in the application process to discuss project ideas, eligibility, and documentation requirements.

As one of the few state-funded programs in the nation dedicated specifically to the preservation of African American cemeteries, the AACGF remains committed to supporting communities across the Commonwealth in the care, maintenance, and long-term stewardship of these important historic places.

The complete FY2027 application materials and updated Program Manual and Grant Guidelines are now available here.

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The continued success of the African American Cemetery and Graves Fund is made possible through the dedication of local communities, property owners, charitable organizations, and local governments working to preserve Virginia's historic African American burial grounds. We are pleased to recognize the Fiscal Year 2026 grant recipients whose projects reflect this shared commitment to the care, stewardship, and preservation of these important historic places.

The Complete List of FY 2026 AACGF Grant Recipients

ALBEMARLE COUNTY
Oak Union Baptist Church Cemetery
Piedmont Baptist Church Cemetery
Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Cemetery
St. John Baptist Church Cemetery
Mount Calvary Baptist Church Cemeteries
First Baptist Church-Covesville
Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery
Evans Cemetery
Mt. View Church Cemetery
Rose Hill Baptist Church Cemetery

BUCKINGHAM COUNTY
Third Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery

CAROLINE COUNTY
Oliver Cemetery

CITY OF ALEXANDRIA
African American Cemeteries of Alexandria
Snowden-Bethlehem Memorial Gardens Cemetery

CITY OF CHARLOTESVILLE
Chestnut Grove Church
Union Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery

CITY OF DANVILLE
Flippen Cemetery

CITY OF HAMPTON
Elmerton Cemetery
Bassette Cemetery

CITY OF HARRISONBURG
Newtown Cemetery

CITY OF LYNCHBURG
White Rock Cemetery

CITY OF RICHMOND
Forest View Cemetery

CITY OF STAUNTON
Fairview Cemetery

CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH
Smallwood Ackiss Family Cemetery

ESSEX COUNTY
Angel Visit Baptist Church Cemetery-Ozeana
Angel Visit Baptist Church Cemetery-Upright

FLUVANNA COUNTY
Union Baptist Church-Shores
West Bottom Baptist Church-Oak Hill Cemetery

FREDERICK COUNTY
Locust Grove Cemetery

GLOUCESTER COUNTY
First Baptist Church Cemetery-GFC
Berea Cemetery-TFUBC
The First Untied Baptist Church Cemetery

HANOVER COUNTY
Hickory Hill Slave and African American Cemetery
Brooks Family Cemetery

HENRICO COUNTY
Woodland Cemetery
Benevolence St. James Community Cemetery

LOUDOUN COUNTY
Waterford Union of Churches Cemetery
Solon Cemetery

MIDDLESEX COUNTY
Grafton Baptist Church Cemetery
First Baptist Church of Harmony Village Cemetery
Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery
Old St. John’s Baptist Church Cemetery
Union Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery
Hampstead Memorial Cemetery
Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery

ORANGE COUNTY
Woodberry Cemetery

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY
Asbury United Methodist Church Cemetery

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The Department’s Historic African American Cemetery & Graves Fund provides grants to support the maintenance and care of cemeteries established prior to 1948, specifically for the interment of African Americans. The graves of any individuals born prior to 1900 (regardless of date of death) AND the graves of any individuals born in or after 1900 and interred prior to 1948 are considered eligible. Birth and/or interment dates may be confirmed through headstone inscriptions, vital records, church records, newspaper obituaries, and other information sources. We will also accept the results of ground penetrating radar (GPR). Initial grants will be made at a rate of $5 per eligible grave, and recipients are thereafter invited to apply for block grants to fund “extraordinary maintenance” projects.

Applications may be filed by property owners, charitable organizations established specifically 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 registration. Churches are exempt from this requirement. Charitable organizations must confirm their status as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, provide documentation of their mission regarding care of the cemetery, and be registered with VDACS or determined exempt from registration. 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.

Please Note: All qualified organizations, including those listed in the Code of Virginia §10.1-2211.2, are required to submit an annual application to DHR by May 30 to be eligible for funding. Applications received after this date may not be considered for that funding cycle.

As a reminder to our current grant recipients, DHR requires that you submit a reconciliation of expenses to DHR after July 1 but no later than September 30. This reconciliation should document how grant funds were used in the maintenance of your cemetery and should include invoices or receipts if available. All materials should be forwarded to Angel Williams by mail at 2801 Kensington Avenue, Richmond VA 23221 or electronically at aacgf@dhr.virginia.gov. If you are a 2025-2026 grant recipient and have not yet submitted your form, please contact us as soon as possible. DHR will be unable to disburse any additional grant funds to your organization if this information is not submitted and approved.