CLEVELAND — The Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area (MDNHA) is now accepting applications for its fall 2025 Festival/ Event Grant Program. This cycle offers a unique opportunity for organizations to receive up to $5,000 in reimbursement funding for festivals and cultural heritage events that celebrate the rich and diverse traditions of the Mississippi Delta.
“Cultural events are the heartbeat of the Delta,” says MDNHA Board President Stephanie Patton. “They bring our stories to life, connect our communities, and remind us of what makes this region so special. By supporting these festivals, we’re helping keep our traditions alive and giving folks a reason to come together and celebrate who we are.”
Applications are being accepted now through Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.
Eligible projects must take place between Sept. 22 and Dec. 31, 2025, and all events must be free and open to the public.
This grant program is designed to support public festivals and events that align with one or more of the MDNHA’s core interpretive themes:
• The Mississippi River and the Land It Embraces
• The Culture of the Blues and the Birth of an American Sound
• Moving Toward Freedom: The Struggle for Rights
• Growing More Than Cotton: The Delta as a Wellspring of Creativity
• The Delta Divide: Creating the Delta’s Diverse Communities
• Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, local governments, schools, higher education institutions, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Applicants must demonstrate a 2:1 non-federal match.
Application instructions, eligibility criteria, and budget forms are available at www.msdeltaheritage.com/festival-grants.
For additional information or technical assistance, contact the MDNHA at info@msdeltaheritage.com.
