Plano Heritage Commission recommends $1.15 million in grants, keeps emergency fund

The Plano Heritage Commission recommended that City Council approve about $1.146 million in heritage and downtown-events grants for fiscal 2025–26, and it proposed keeping roughly $365,000 in reserve for emergency repairs or future city-initiated heritage projects. Nancy Baldwin, chair of the Heritage Commission, told the council the commission recommends full funding for the Heritage Farmstead Museum, Plano Conservancy, Texas Pool Foundation, North Texas Masonic Historical Museum and Library, and Plano African American Museum, and funding for several downtown events.

The commission said the Heritage Farmstead request includes operations and maintenance (O&M) costs and a proposed Amy Wilson House fire-protection project, and it noted that special events such as Lights on the Farm and Homeschool Days draw more than 50,000 visitors annually. Nancy Baldwin, chair of the Heritage Commission, said, “special events like Lights on the Farm and Homeschool Days, these seasonal festivals attract more than 50,000 visitors annually.”

The commission presented a four-category grant structure: major heritage grants, minor heritage grants, downtown events, and an emergency heritage grant fund. Baldwin said the commission opened applications in April, held an applicant workshop, and scored submissions; the commission reviewed applicants at a May presentation round before forwarding recommendations to council. Baldwin said the commission recommends dedicating the remaining balance to emergency heritage grants and city-initiated heritage projects that would return to council with Heritage Commission recommendations.

The commission highlighted that operations and maintenance caps set by prior council action are included in this year’s recommendations—specifically O&M set-asides for the Heritage Farmstead Museum ($330,000) and the Plano Conservancy ($145,000). Baldwin said the commission expanded the program this year to create more applicant categories and align with council goals to broaden funding opportunities. The commission’s funding totals and the recommended awards will be forwarded to the city budget process for council action.

Council members asked whether the unallocated balance was earmarked for any specific project; Baldwin said no specific projects have been identified and the funds would remain available until a qualifying need or city-initiated project is proposed and processed through the commission for a recommendation to council.

The Heritage Commission presentation and grant worksheets will be included with the budget items when council considers final appropriations and the annual grant cycle.