The purpose of the heritage partnership program funding is to engage national heritage area recipients partners communities and or visitors in shared environmental stewardship

The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, Inc. was awarded a $1,000,000 Cooperative Agreement by the National Park Service (NPS) under the Heritage Partnership Program (CFDA 15.939) with a performance period from September 30, 2024 to September 29, 2025. The purpose of this funding is to engage national heritage area recipients, partners, communities, and visitors in shared environmental stewardship through initiatives that promote greater public and private participation in preservation, conservation, education, and outdoor recreation programs and activities. The award supports the operations of the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, benefiting the general public, state and local governments, non-profits, and private entities in the region. Key activities funded under this Cooperative Agreement include operating the Discover Niagara Shuttle, developing public art programs, digitizing archival collections, conducting educational programming, establishing the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, and researching the economic impact of heritage tourism.

This is done by promoting greater public and private participation in preservation conservation education and outdoor recreation programs and activities and building resource stewardship ethics in its participants. This project supports the operations of the niagara falls national heritage area. Beneficiaries include general public states and or their political subdivisions nonprofits private entities the heritage area management coordinating entity.