HEART Grant

About the Grant

The HEART grant program was created by the Board of Commissioners in 1998, in recognition of the importance of culture and the arts to the Union County economy and quality of life.

The innovative program supports projects related to history, the arts and humanities, and demonstrates a commitment to the artists and non-profit community organizations of Union County.

How to Apply

Details Coming Soon

Contact Us

For information about next year’s HEART Grant Program, artists, educators, civic groups and historical non-profit organizations can contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 or by email at culturalinfo@ucjnj.org. NJ Relay users can dial 711.

Grant Awardees

2026 Individuals
  • Adelle Molina, New Providence, $500.00
  • Bridget Briant, Garwood, $600.00
  • Candace Waller, Fanwood, $800.00
  • Christina Izmirlian, Westfield, $600.00
  • Dario Scholis, Elizabeth, $800.00
  • Hao Feng, Summit, $800.00
  • Kiyanna Lawrence, Westfield, $500.00
  • Lowell Schantz, Westfield, $800.00
  • Maria Daniel, Scotch Plains, $600.00
  • Robin Chang, Westfield, $600.00
  • Tylie Shider, Plainfield, $500.00
  • Valerie Porter, Roselle, $500.00
2026 Organizations
  • Borough of Fanwood, Fanwood, $1,500.00
  • Borough of Mountainside, Mountainside, $1,200.00
  • Borough of Roselle Park, Roselle Park, $800.00
  • Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Union, $1,750.00
  • City of Plainfield, Plainfield, $1,500.00
  • City of Summit, Summit, $800.00
  • Connecticut Farms First Presbyterian Cemetery, Union, $1,500.00
  • Cranford Housing Board, Cranford, $800.00
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Westfield, Westfield, $800.00
  • Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center, Plainfield, $1,500.00
  • Dreamhouse Theater Company, Plainfield, $1,200.00
  • Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, Elizabeth, $1,500.00
  • Elizabeth Public Library, Elizabeth, $1,000.00
  • Elizabeth Renaissance Foundation, Elizabeth, $1,500.00
  • Emerson Community School, Plainfield, $1,500.00
  • Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Frazee House Inc., Fanwood, $1,500.00
  • Forgotten Victory Trail, Summit, $1,500.00
  • Garwood Partnership for Arts and Culture, Garwood, $700.00
  • Girls on a Mission with Ambition, Roselle Park, $1,500.00
  • Green Thumb Garden Club of Cranford, Cranford, $700.00
  • Groundwork Elizabeth, Elizabeth, $1,450.00
  • Haitian Flag Day Planning Committee of New Jersey, Elizabeth, $1,450.00
  • Hanson Park Conservancy, Cranford, $1,000.00
  • Historical Society Elizabeth NJ, Elizabeth, $800.00
  • Historical Society of Plainfield, Plainfield, $1,750.00
  • Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth, $1,500.00
  • JCC of Central NJ, Scotch Plains, $1,450.00
  • Jefferson Park Ministries, Elizabeth, $1,500.00
  • Jersey Central Theatre Company, Fanwood, $1,450.00
  • Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey, Elizabeth, $1,200.00
  • Josephine’s Place, Elizabeth, $1,650.00
  • Kenilworth Historical Society Incorporated, Kenilworth, $1,200.00
  • Liberty Hall Museum, Union, $1,500.00
  • Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum, Rahway, $1,500.00
  • Music For All Seasons, Scotch Plains, $1,500.00
  • New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Westfield, $1,500.00
  • New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, Summit, $1,500.00
  • Occupational Center of Union County, Roselle, $1,750.00
  • Peruvians for Progress, Rahway, $1,450.00
  • Premiere Stages at Kean University, Union, $1,500.00
  • Preserve the Shady Rest Committee, Scotch Plains, $1,650.00
  • Roselle Board of Education, Roselle, $1,500.00
  • Roselle Park Loves Arts, Inc., Roselle Park, $1,500.00
  • SAGE Eldercare, Summit, $1,500.00
  • Second Street Youth Center, Plainfield, $1,500.00
  • Social Justice Matters, Inc., Scotch Plains, $1,500.00
  • Stony Hill Players, Summit, $1,500.00
  • Summit Community Players – Central Presbyterian Church, Summit, $1,500.00
  • The Connection for Women and Families, Summit, $1,200.00
  • The H.U.S.H. House Foundation, Plainfield, $1,200.00
  • The Musical Club of Westfield, Inc., Westfield, $1,500.00
  • Township of Cranford, Cranford, $600.00
  • Township of Scotch Plains, Scotch Plains, $1,500.00
  • Township of Union School District, Union, $1,500.00
  • Union County Historical Society, Cranford, $800.00
  • Union Township Historical Society, Union, $800.00
  • Visions and Pathways, Plainfield, $1,500.00
  • Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Summit, $1,500.00
  • Vivid Stage, Summit, $1,500.00
  • Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route NJ, Westfield, $1,500.00
  • Westfield Arts Collective, Westfield, $1,500.00
  • Westfield Coalition for the Arts, Westfield, $1,200.00
  • Westfield Community Center, Westfield, $1,000.00
  • Westfield Historical Society, Westfield, $800.00
  • Westfield Neighborhood Council, Westfield, $1,500.00
  • Westfield Public Arts Commission, Westfield, $1,500.00
  • Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, Berkeley Heights, $1,500.00
  • YM-YWHA of Union County, Union, $1,500.00
  • YMCA Association of Eastern Union County, Elizabeth, $1,300.00
2023 Individuals
  • ListBrian Beste, Fanwood, $1,000, presenting photography workshops
  • Candace Waller, Fanwood, $1,000, providing free dance classes
  • Daphnie Manzione, Elizabeth, $960, producing a history documentary
  • Dario Scholis, Elizabeth, $1,000, providing free art classes,
  • John A. Sichel, Mountainside, $1,000, presenting a premiere song-cycle concert
  • Lesl Harker, New Providence, $1,000, presenting Irish music workshop and concert
  • Lowell Schantz, Westfield, $1,000, presenting two free jazz concerts in Union County libraries
  • Richard Lear, Plainfield, $1,000, producing a local short film
  • Valerie Graham, Roselle, $1,000, presenting free crafts workshops for all ages
2023 Organizations
  • ListAfrican American History and Heritage Learning Center, Rahway, $3,000, providing interpretive signage and history programs
  • Borough of Fanwood, Fanwood, $2,900 presenting a Cultural Arts Performance Series
  • Borough of Roselle Park, Casano Community Center, $1,000, presenting a free concert
  • Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, Union, $3,000, presenting a dance festival
  • Central Presbyterian Church, Summit, $2,500, presenting a children’s musical
  • City of Plainfield, $2,700, providing a jazz concert series
  • Connection for Women and Families, Summit, $3,000, presenting community dance workshops
  • Cranford Housing Board, Cranford, $1,000, presenting a Valentine’s Day concert for senior residents
  • Cranford Public Library, Cranford, $3,000, presenting a new play readings and discussion series
  • Cranford Schools Friends of Performing Arts, Cranford, $3,000, providing an Arts Day and film festival
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Westfield, Westfield, $3,000, providing history tours and books for Westfield students
  • Dreamhouse Theater Company, Plainfield, $1,500, providing a writer’s group and workshops
  • Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, Elizabeth, $2,900, presenting a Hispanic Heritage Month concert and Salsa Stroll
  • Elizabeth Renaissance Foundation, Elizabeth, $2,900, provide street art sidewalk decals and banners
  • Emerson Community School, Plainfield, $3,000, presenting children’s theater production
  • Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Frazee House, Inc., Scotch Plains, $2,500, presenting three October outdoor events
  • Green Thumb Garden Club of Cranford, $1,000, providing a community flower planting pride event
  • Groundwork Elizabeth, Inc., Elizabeth, $3,000, presenting the Annual Tour de Elizabeth bicycle tour
  • Haitian Flag Day Planning Committee of NJ, Inc., Elizabeth, $3,000, presenting a Haitian Fag Day ceremony
  • Hanson Park Conservancy, Cranford, $1,940, providing a “Paint in the Park” event
  • Historical Society of Elizabeth NJ, $1,000, presenting a history panel discussion
  • Historical Society of Plainfield, Plainfield, $3,000, providing history programming
  • Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth, $3,000, providing arts classes for Youth
  • Jefferson Parks Ministries, Elizabeth, $3,000, providing a Haitian arts festival
  • Jewish Family Services of Central NJ, Elizabeth, $3,000, presenting a concert program
  • Josephine’s Place, Elizabeth, $3,000, presenting arts programs for immigrant women
  • Kenilworth Historical Society, Kenilworth, $1,000, presenting Living History programs
  • Liberty Hall Museum, Union, $3,000, presenting a dance festival
  • Livingston Avenue School PTA, Cranford, $1,000, building a Historical Native Ecosystem and Living Art Garden
  • Merchants & Drovers Tavern Museum, Rahway, $3,000, providing local history tour
  • Music for All Seasons, Scotch Plains, $3,000, presenting music programs for “The Real House” residents
  • New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Westfield, $3,000, presenting a live Puccini opera performance,
  • New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, New Providence, $3,000, presenting a community concert
  • Occupational Center of Union County, Inc., Roselle, $3,000, presenting art education classes for people with disabilities
  • Overlook Foundation, Summit, $3,000, presenting “Healing Caregivers” healing arts program
  • Peruvians for Progress, Inc., Rahway, $1,875, presenting a free traditional Peruvian Christmas celebration
  • Premiere Stages at Kean University, Union, $2,500, presenting an original play
  • Preserve Shady Rest Committee, Scotch Plains, $3,000, presenting historical themed programming
  • Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit, $2,900 presenting a concert with jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimee,
  • Restore Ministries, Elizabeth, $3,000, providing an arts education after school program
  • Roselle Board of Education, Roselle, $2,500, presenting a high school performing arts program,
  • Roselle Park Loves Arts, Inc., Roselle Park, $3,000, provide an arts festival
  • SAGE Eldercare, Inc., Summit, $2,800, presenting free arts programs for older adults
  • Social Justice Matters, Inc., Scotch Plains, $3,000, providing a Juneteenth Celebration,
  • Stony Hill Players, Summit, $3,000, presenting children’s theatrical productions
  • The Gateway Family YMCA, $2,700, Elizabeth, presenting a student art exhibition and community art workshops
  • The Theater Project, Union, $3,000, presenting theatrical performances in Union
  • Township of Scotch Plains, 3,000, providing dance programs
  • Union Public Library, Union, $950, presenting a community arts event
  • Union Township Historical Society, Union, $1,000, presenting a history program
  • Visual Arts Center of NJ, Summit $3,000, presenting a visual arts program for older adults
  • Vivid Stage, Summit, $3,000, producing a theatrical production of “Only Human”
  • Westfield Community Center, Westfield, $1,500, providing Black History programs
  • Westfield Historical Society, Westfield, $575, providing three history programs
  • Westfield Neighborhood Council, Westfield, $3,000, presenting dance classes
  • YM-YWHA of Union County, Union, $2,900, presenting arts programs for seniors and youth
2022 Individuals
  • ListBrian Beste, Fanwood, $1,000,  presenting photography workshops
  • Candace Waller, Fanwood, $1,000,  providing free dance classes
  • Lesl Harker, New Providence, $1,000,  presenting Irish music workshop and concert
  • Lowell Schantz, Westfield, $1,000,  presenting two free jazz concerts in Union County libraries
  • Michael Yesenko, Union, $1,000, providing a pictorial history installation of the Revolutionary War NEW, HISTORY
  • Rafael Simancas, Roselle Park, $1,000, providing Art Day and mural project, NEW
  • Valerie Graham, Roselle, $1,000,  presenting free crafts workshops for seniors
2022 Organizations
  • LisBOLD Community Care Services, Elizabeth, $2,500,  presenting adaptive art programming, NEW
  • Borough of Roselle Park, Casano Community Center, $1,000,  presenting a free St. Patrick’s Day concert
  • Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, Union, $2,500,  presenting a dance festival
  • City of Rahway, $2,500, presenting Rahway Diversity and Social Justice Lecture Series
  • Community Access Unlimited, Elizabeth, $1,000, providing Arts in the Park activities
  • Continuo Arts Foundation, Summit, $2,500, presenting on-line music activity programs for children
  • Dreamcatchers Repertory Theatre, Summit, $2,500 presenting audioplay of “Everything is Super Great”
  • duCret School of Art, Plainfield, $2,500, presenting outdoor plays
  • Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, Elizabeth, $2,500,  presenting Hispanic Heritage Month concerts
  • Friends of Summit Public Art, $2,500 providing a public art installation NEW
  • Friends of Westfield Memorial Library, $1,350,  providing lecture series videos NEW
  • Hanson Park Conservancy, Cranford, $700,  presenting an organic gardening lecture series
  • Historical Society of Elizabeth NJ, $1,000,  presenting a history panel discussion HISTORY
  • Historical Society of Plainfield, Plainfield, $2,500, providing virtual history programming, HISTORY
  • Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth, $2,500,  providing arts and culture classes for Teens
  • Jefferson Parks Ministries, Elizabeth, $2,500,  providing an art gallery
  • Jewish Community Center of Central NJ, Scotch Plains, $2,000,  presenting a cultural appreciation series for Seniors
  • Jewish Family Services of Central NJ, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting a virtual concert Program
  • Josephine’s Place, Elizabeth, $2,500,  presenting arts programs for immigrant women
  • Kenilworth Historical Society, Kenilworth, $1,500,  presenting a Living History exhibition HISTORY
  • Liberty Hall Museum, Union, $2,500 presenting a dance festival
  • Life Drawing Studio Group, Fanwood, $2,500,  providing visual arts workshops
  • Merchants & Drovers Tavern Museum, Rahway, $1,200,  presenting a history tour and presentation HISTORY
  • Musical Club of Westfield, Scotch Plains, $2,500,  presenting a benefit concert
  • Music for All Seasons, Scotch Plains, $2,500,  presenting music programs for U.C. Detention Center
  • NAACP Rahway Branch, $2,500,  presenting a Juneteenth Celebration program NEW
  • New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Westfield, $2,500, presenting live concert “Return of the Three Holiday Tenors”
  • New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, New Providence, $2,500,  presenting a community concert
  • New Jersey Workshop for the Arts, Westfield, $1,000, provide outdoor musical performances
  • New Providence Public Art, $2,500, providing an interactive sculpture park NEW
  • Overlook Hospital Foundation, Summit, $2,500, presenting “Healing Caregivers” healing arts program
  • Occupational Center of Union County, Inc., Roselle, $2,500,  presenting art education classes for people with disabilities
  • Plainfield Public Library, $2,500, presenting a photojournalism program
  • Plainfield Symphony Society, Plainfield, $1,650,  presenting a free symphony concert
  • Premiere Stages at Kean University, Union, $2,500, presenting an original play
  • Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit, $2,500,  presenting concert with jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimee
  • Roselle Park Loves Arts, Inc., Roselle Park, $2,500, provide an arts festival
  • SAGE Eldercare, Inc., Summit, $2,100,  presenting free arts programs for older adults,
  • Social Justice Matters, Inc., Scotch Plains, producing an oral history of Kramer Manor, NEW
  • Springfield Free Public Library, $600,  producing a museum exhibit HISTORY
  • Stony Hill Players, Summit, $2,500,  presenting children’s theatrical productions
  • Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah, Clark, $500,  presenting a free music program
  • The Theater Project, Union, $2,500,  presenting theatrical performances in Union
  • Township of Berkeley Heights, $2,500,  presenting a civil rights cultural event NEW
  • Township of Hillside, $1,000, producing the Recreational Center Mural Project, NEW
  • Union Township Historical Society, Union, $1,660,  presenting a pictorial history exhibit  HISTORY
  • United Youth of NJ, Elizabeth, $2,500,  presenting an historical play “A Mother’s Cry; the Emmett Till Story”
  • Visual Arts Center of NJ, Summit $2,500,  presenting a visual arts program for older adults
  • Westfield Community Center, Westfield, $1,000,  providing Black History programs
  • Westfield Historical Society, $1440, providing digital archives, NEW, HISTORY
  • Westfield Neighborhood Council, Westfield, $2,000,  presenting dance classes
  • Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, Berkeley Heights, $1,000, REVISE presenting digital performances for older adults
  • YM-YWHA of Union County, Union, $2,500, presenting a “Y” Senior Soirees Seriest
2021 Individuals
  • LisBrian Beste, Fanwood, $1,000,  presenting photography workshops
  • Candace Waller, Fanwood, $1,000,  providing free dance classes
  • Lesl Harker, New Providence, $1,000,  presenting Irish music workshop and concert
  • Lowell Schantz, Westfield, $1,000,  presenting two free jazz concerts in Union County libraries
  • Michael Yesenko, Union, $1,000, providing a pictorial history installation of the Revolutionary War
  • Rafael Simancas, Roselle Park, $1,000, providing Art Day and mural project
  • Valerie Graham, Roselle, $1,000,  presenting free crafts workshops for seniorst
2021 Organizations
  • LisBOLD Community Care Services, Elizabeth, $2,500,  presenting adaptive art programming
  • Borough of Roselle Park, Casano Community Center, $1,000,  presenting a free concert
  • Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, Union, $2,500,  presenting a dance festival
  • City of Rahway, $2,500, presenting Rahway Diversity and Social Justice Lecture Series
  • Community Access Unlimited, Elizabeth, $1,000, providing Arts in the Park activities
  • Continuo Arts Foundation, Summit, $2,500, presenting on-line music activity programs for children
  • Dreamcatchers Repertory Theatre, Summit, $2,500 presenting audioplay of “Everything is Super Great”
  • duCret School of Art, Plainfield, $2,500, presenting outdoor plays
  • Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, Elizabeth, $2,500,  presenting Hispanic Heritage Month concerts
  • Friends of Summit Public Art, $2,500 providing a public art installation
  • Friends of Westfield Memorial Library, $1,350,  providing lecture series videos
  • Hanson Park Conservancy, Cranford, $700,  presenting an organic gardening lecture series
  • Historical Society of Elizabeth NJ, $1,000,  presenting a history panel discussion
  • Historical Society of Plainfield, Plainfield, $2,500, providing virtual history programming
  • Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth, $2,500,  providing arts and culture classes for Teens
  • Jefferson Parks Ministries, Elizabeth, $2,500,  providing art gallery exhibits
  • Jewish Community Center of Central NJ, Scotch Plains, $2,000,  presenting a cultural appreciation series for Seniors
  • Jewish Family Services of Central NJ, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting a virtual concert Program
  • Josephine’s Place, Elizabeth, $2,500,  presenting arts programs for immigrant women
  • Kenilworth Historical Society, Kenilworth, $1,500,  presenting a Living History exhibition
  • Liberty Hall Museum, Union, $2,500 presenting a dance festival
  • Life Drawing Studio Group, Fanwood, $2,500,  providing visual arts workshops
  • Merchants & Drovers Tavern Museum, Rahway, $1,200,  presenting a history tour and presentation
  • Musical Club of Westfield, Scotch Plains, $2,500,  presenting a benefit concert
  • Music for All Seasons, Scotch Plains, $2,500,  presenting music programs for U.C. Detention Center
  • NAACP Rahway Branch, $2,500,  presenting a Juneteenth Celebration program
  • New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Westfield, $2,500, presenting a live concert
  • New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, New Providence, $2,500,  presenting a community concert
  • New Jersey Workshop for the Arts, Westfield, $1,000, provide outdoor musical performances
  • New Providence Public Art, $2,500, providing an interactive sculpture park
  • Overlook Hospital Foundation, Summit, $2,500, presenting “Healing Caregivers” healing arts program
  •  Occupational Center of Union County, Inc., Roselle, $2,500,  presenting art education classes for people with disabilities
  • Plainfield Public Library, $2,500, presenting a photojournalism program
  • Plainfield Symphony Society, Plainfield, $1,650,  presenting a free symphony concert
  • Premiere Stages at Kean University, Union, $2,500, presenting an original play
  • Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit, $2,500,  presenting concert with jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimee
  • Roselle Park Loves Arts, Inc., Roselle Park, $2,500, provide an arts festival
  • SAGE Eldercare, Inc., Summit, $2,100,  presenting free arts programs for older adults
  • Social Justice Matters, Inc., Scotch Plains, $2,500, producing an oral history of Kramer Manor
  • Springfield Free Public Library, $600,  producing a museum exhibit
  • Stony Hill Players, Summit, $2,500,  presenting children’s theatrical productions
  • Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah, Clark, $500,  presenting a free music program
  • The Theater Project, Union, $2,500,  presenting theatrical performances in Union
  • Township of Berkeley Heights, $2,500,  presenting a civil rights cultural event
  • Township of Hillside, $1,000, producing the Recreational Center Mural Project
  • Union Township Historical Society, Union, $1,660,  presenting a pictorial history exhibit
  • United Youth of NJ, Elizabeth, $2,500,  presenting an historical play
  • Visual Arts Center of NJ, Summit $2,500,  presenting a visual arts program for older adults
  • Westfield Community Center, Westfield, $1,000,  providing Black History programs
  • Westfield Historical Society, $1440, providing digital archives
  • Westfield Neighborhood Council, Westfield, $2,000,  presenting dance classes
  • Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, Berkeley Heights, $1,000, presenting digital performances for older adults
  • YM-YWHA of Union County, Union, $2,500, presenting a “Y” Senior Soirees Seriest