A Preservation-Related Funding Assistance Guide

A Preservation-Related Funding Assistance Guide

Introduction

The following list is a resource guide to funding for historic preservation and other related fields. This list is not comprehensive, and the information is subject to change. Inclusion on this list does not present an endorsement of the programs offered by these organizations, and the Trust is not responsible for the accuracy of the information presented. All information included in this guide was obtained from current publications distributed by the listed funding organization, materials found on the organization's web site, or information found in current foundation and government grant award guides. This guide is updated periodically.

Most funding organizations urge prospective applicants to discuss their projects first with the organization's staff before proceeding with an application. If the respective application due date has passed, use the date provided as a guide to next year's funding cycle. Always check with the funding organization to confirm deadlines and to obtain current grant application procedures.

Last updated: July 2007

For information about historic preservation agencies, history-related organizations and technical resources visit our History Links page.

Table of Contents

• National Organizations
• Federal Funds
• FederalFunds Administered Through State Agencies
• State Agencies
• County, Local and Regional Sources
• Foundations
• Corporate Foundations
• Nonprofit Service Organizations
• Funding for Heritage Tourism

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

American Association of Museums (AAM):
1575 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, D.C.20005
(202) 289-1818
Fax (202) 289-6578.
Web site:

AAM is a national nonprofit membership organization that promotes excellence within the museum community. AAM helps museums better serve the public through advocacy, professional education, information exchange, accreditation, and guidance on professional standards. AAM administers the Museum Assessment Program (MAP), and funding is available through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Deadline: To be announced

Garden Conservancy:
P.O. Box 219
Cold Springs, NY 10516
(845) 265-2029
Fax (845) 265-9620
Web site:
Email:

Preservation Projects Program: The Garden Conservancy works with a select number of gardens as Preservation Projects to develop a successful preservation strategy and a sound fiscal and organizational foundation for each garden. They take on one or two projects a year following a thorough selection process. To be considered for project or partnership status, a garden must undergo a thorough selection process.

Preservation Assistance Center offers services and resources in preservation planning, horticulture, organizational development, legal aspects of garden preservation, fund-raising, public relations, and other facets of the transition from private to public use of a garden. Currently the Conservancy is assisting approximately thirteen gardens through our PreservationAssistanceCenter.

Heritage Preservation:
1012 14th Street, NW, Suite 1200
Washington, D.C.20005
(202) 233-0800
Fax (202) 233-0807.
Web site:

Heritage Preservation administers the Conservation Assessment Program funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The site provides links to sources of funding for preservation of outdoor sculpture.

National League of Cities
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 550
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 626-3000
Fax (202) 626-3043
Web site:

The National League of Cities administers the American Downtown: New Thinking, New Life Program, which is a fee-based assistance program. Local governments and state leagues may apply or interested entities within communities may approach their local government to apply on their behalf. Contact: LaStar Mathews at .

National Trust for Historic Preservation:
National Office: 1785 Mass. Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-2117
Web site:

Northeast Regional Office: 7 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4th Floor; Boston, MA02109; (617) 523-0885

Northeast Field Office: Adrian Scott Fine, 6401 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA19144; (215) 848-8033

The National Trust, through its financial assistance programs, demonstrates that preserving our heritage improves the quality of life in American communities. The National Trust's grant and loan programs have assisted thousands of innovative preservation projects that protect the continuity, diversity, and beauty of our communities.

The Preservation Services Fund provides nonprofit organizations and public agencies matching grants from $500 to $5,000 (typically from $1,000 to $1,500) for preservation planning and education efforts. Funds may be used to obtain professional expertise in areas such as architecture, archeology, engineering, preservation planning, land-use planning, fund raising, organizational development and law as well as preservation education activities to educate the public.

The Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation provides nonprofit organizations and public agencies grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 for projects that contribute to the preservation or the recapture of an authentic sense of place. Individuals and for-profit businesses may apply only if the project for which funding is requested involves a National Historic Landmark. Funds may be used for professional advice, conferences, workshops and education programs. Deadline: February 1 of each year.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors provides nonprofit organizations and public agencies grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to assist in the preservation, restoration, and interpretation of historic interiors. Individuals and for-profit businesses may apply only if the project for which funding is requested involves a National Historic Landmark. Funds may be used for professional expertise, print and video communications materials, and education programs. Deadline: February 1 of each year.

Community Partners administers the loan programs described below. Eligible applicants are tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and local governments; organizations may enter into partnerships or joint ventures, provided the applicant is pivotal to project execution. Eligible properties are certified local, state, or nationally designated historic resources, contributing resources certified local, state, or national historic district, or resources eligible for listing in local, state, or national historic district. Eligible projects involve the stabilization of historic properties in conformance with the Secretary of Interior's Standards.

The National Preservation Loan Fund provides loans to establish or expand local and statewide preservation revolving funds; to acquire and/or rehabilitate historic buildings, sites, structures and districts; to purchase easements; and to preserve National Historic Landmarks.

The Inner-City Ventures Fund finances the rehabilitation of historic buildings that serve the economic and community development needs of low-, moderate-, or mixed-income neighborhoods.

Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF):
Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey Program
163 Madison Ave, 5th Floor
Morristown, NJ07960
(973) 285-9446
Email:
Web site:

Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) serves the financial needs of nonprofit organizations nationwide, providing financial services -- chiefly loans -- and advisory services to help an organization meet its long-term strategic goals: NFF has provided financial and advisory services to nonprofit organizations in the state of New Jersey since 1999.

Its services are available to nonprofits representing every sub-sector, including: arts & culture organizations, community centers, community development organizations, educational institutions, health organizations, social service organizations, including youth servers, child care providers, and religious organizations.

Loans for facilities and other growth-related projects. Terms include $2 million maximum loan size, 5-7 year terms, closing fee, and collateral/security not required in many cases. NFF loans are designed to help clients spread the cost of a capital improvement over its useful life, manage cash flow during and after a facilities project, and support sustainable growth.

Workshops and advice on facilities and financial planning, and new business development projects

Nonprofit Business Analysis for organizations that want to evaluate their readiness for change

Small planning grants of up to $10,000 to secure specific pieces of information during the project planning process -- available by invitation only

Planning guides on facilities and financial management

Building for the FutureSMto help non-profits manage assets like building reserves and endowments.

Save America's Treasures
National Trust for Historic Preservation
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.,
WashingtonD.C.20036
(202) 588-6202 or (877) 873-2787.
Web site:
E-mail:

The Save America's Treasures Program is a public-private partnership with the White House Millennium Council and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The program identifies “Official Projects,” which are eligible for recognition benefits. Official Projects may apply for funding related to the preservation, restoration or conservation of historic buildings/sites, documents, or artifacts.

Save America's Treasures grant round to preserve nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts, and historic structures and sites. These grants are administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and will be awarded through a competitive process. The application deadline for 2008 will be announced.

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FEDERAL FUNDS

Institute of Museum and Library Services:
1800 M Street, N.W., 9th Floor
Washington, D.C.20036
(202) 653-4657
Web site:
E-mail:

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is an independent federal agency that fosters leadership, innovation and a lifetime of learning. IMLS supports all types of museums, from art and history to science and zoos, and all types of libraries and archives, from public and academic to research and school. IMLS expands the educational benefit of these institutions by encouraging partnerships. Deadline: April 1, 2008.

National Leadership Grants in the amount of $15,000 to $500,000, for a period up to three years, are available in three categories:

• Museums Online, where Support is given for model projects that address the challenges and potential applications of new technologies and/or demonstrate the educational impact of connecting museums and their communities through technology
• Museums in the Community supports museum-community partnerships that enhance the quality of community life
• Professional Practices supports projects that improve professional practices in the museum field. Project design could include direct dissemination of information through workshops, seminars, and courses or indirect communication through publications and web sites.

Conservation Project Support: The program provides matching grants to help museums identify conservation needs and priorities, and perform activities to ensure the safekeeping of their collections. Grants are available for surveys (general, detailed condition, or environmental); training; research; treatment; and environmental improvements. There is a 1:1 match criterion for requests of $50,000 to $75,000; additional grants of $10,000 may be for Educational Components. The application deadline is October 15 of each year. Contact Steven Shwartzman, Program Officer,

Conservation Assessment Program (CAP): This program enables eligible museums to obtain general conservation assessment of their collections and facilities. CAP supports a two-day site visit by a conservator, and in the case of collections within historic structures, a preservation architectural conservator will be included in the team. The program is administered by Heritage Preservation, Deadline: December 1, 2007.

Museum Assessment Programs: The program provides non-competitive grants of technical assistance for four types of assessments: Institutional, Collections Management, Public Dimension and Governance. The program is administered by the American Association of Museums Deadline: The 2008 Applications and Guidelines will be available in October.

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.20506
(202) 606-8400 or 1-800-NEH-1121.
Web site:
E-mail:

The National Endowment for the Humanities is a federal agency that supports learning in history, literature, philosophy or other areas of the humanities. It funds research, education, museum exhibits, documentaries, and preservation activities.

Implementation Grants: America's Historic Places :NEH seeks proposals for public programs that use one or more historic sites to address themes and issues central to American history. Projects may interpret a single historic site, a series of sites, whole neighborhoods, communities or towns, or larger geographical regions. The place taken as a whole must be significant to American history and the project must convey its importance to visitors.

Landmarks of American History: Workshops for School Teachers: NEH seeks proposals for a series of one-week residence-based workshops for K-12 educators that use historic sites to address central themes and issues in American history. Teachers selected to participate will receive a stipend of $500 at the end of the residential Workshop session. Deadline: 2009 Round, To be announced

Preservation Assistance Grants can help libraries, archives, museums and historical organizations enhance their capacity to preserve their humanities collections. Applicants may request support for general preservation assessments or consultations with preservation professionals to develop a specific plan for addressing an identified problem. Grants awarded up to $5,000. Projects that focus on buildings or other structures are not eligible. Deadline: 2009 Round, To be announced

Challenge Grants help institutions and organizations secure long-term support for, and improvements in, their humanities programs and resources. Awards are made to museums, public libraries, colleges, historical societies, public television and radio stations, universities, scholarly associations, and other nonprofit entities to improve their financial stability and the quality of their humanities activities. Recent grants have ranged from $100,000 to $625,000 and must be matched by non-federal sources. Deadline: November 1, 2007

National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT):
645 University Parkway
Natchitoches, LA71457
(318) 356-7444
fax (318) 356-9119.
Email:
Web site:

NCPTT develops and distributes preservation and conservation skills and technologies for the identification, evaluation, conservation, and interpretation of prehistoric and historic resources; develops and facilitates training for Federal, State and local resource preservation professionals and others working in the preservation field.

Preservation Technology and Training Grants: This program offers preservation and conservation grants for training, technology, information management and basic research in all related historic preservation fields. Deadline: Not yet posted.

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):
Office of Community Planning and Development
451 7th Street SW
WashingtonDC20410
(202) 708-1112
Web site:

Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG): This pool of federal funds, administered through local and county government authorities, targets communities throughout the State. Check with your local municipal or county economic development director to determine if these funds are available in your community.

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FEDERAL FUNDS ADMINISTERED THROUGH STATE AGENCIES

Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry, Historic Preservation Office:
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, New Jersey08625-0402
(609) 292-2023
Web site:
Email:

Historic Preservation Fund CLG Grant Program seeks to identify all buildings, sites, structures, objects and districts which are significant in American historic, architecture, archaeology and engineering, and which meet the criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places; and to design and implement planning tools for the protection of these resources.

Typical grant projects include historic preservation master plan elements, historic resource surveys, National Register nominations, historic preservation education projects, historic structures reports, preservation plans, and CLG training opportunities.

Category 1 grant require no Local Match.The funds will be used to provide newly formed historic preservation commissions, or entrants into the CLG program, with technical assistance, training, and professional services.

Category 2 requires 40% Local Cash Match. The funds are to be used to assist in the identification, evaluation, registration, and protection of historic and prehistoric resources in New Jersey.

New grant deadlines will be announced.

Department of Transportation, State of New Jersey
P.O. Box 600
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Web site:

Local Aid and Economic Development: Transportation Enhancements: This is funded through a 10 percent set aside of the Surface Transportation Program category of federal funds for projects that are transportation related. Transportation Enhancement (TE) projects are designed to foster more livable communities, preserve and protect environmental and cultural resources and to promote alternative modes of transportation.

Eligible categories include provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists; provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists; acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites, scenic or historic highway programs (including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities); landscaping and other scenic beautification; historic preservation, rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures and facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals); preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion and use thereof for pedestrian and bicycle trails; control and removal of outdoor advertising; archeological planning and research environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity establishment of transportation-related museums

New Jersey Council for the Humanities (NJCH)
28 West State Street, 6th Floor
Trenton, New Jersey08608-1602
(609) 695-4838
fax (609) 695-4929
Email: .
Web site:

The purpose of this council is to support the public use of the humanities to enrich personal and community life in New Jersey. NJCH serves as the state council of the NEH and is funded by the NEH, private donations and grants.

Grants: Major grants of up to $10,000 ($15,000 for Media projects) are made to nonprofit groups across New Jersey through a competitive proposal process, with application deadlines May 1 and October 1. Minigrants, up to $3,000 are awarded three times a year, with application deadlines February 1, June 1, and October 1. Humanities Festival Week grants, up to $500, have a June 15 application deadline. Types of projects allowed for funding include public programs, oral history projects and media projects.

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STATE AGENCIES

New Jersey Cultural Trust
PO Box 529
Trenton, NJ08625
(609) 984-6767 or fax (609) 341-5005
Email:
Web site:

The mission of The New Jersey Cultural Trust is to ensure a stable and healthy cultural industry in New Jersey that is sustainable under fluctuating economic conditions through the establishment of permanent, interest-generating funds to be an additional source of revenue to nonprofit arts, history, and humanities organizations.