Grants & Preservation Funding
Funding & Grants for Historic Preservation, CRM, and the Arts
Navigating the world of historic preservation finance can be a daunting task, but you don’t have to do it alone. We have gathered a comprehensive collection of resources to assist with your project’s financial needs.
From programs managed by the National Park Service (the lead federal agency for historic preservation) and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, to specialized databases on our partner site, HistoricFunding.com, this is the ideal starting point for building a viable funding strategy for your project.
Select a category below for funding terminology, organization overviews, and direct resource links:
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Understanding the different types of financial assistance is the first step toward a successful project.
- Federal & State Grants: Competitive awards typically for nonprofits or government agencies. These range from “brick-and-mortar” restoration to planning and architectural surveys.
- Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits: A premier incentive for income-producing properties, offering a dollar-for-dollar reduction in federal and state income tax for certified rehabilitations.
- Low-Interest Loans & Revolving Funds: Specialized lending from organizations like the 1772 Foundation or local “Revolving Funds” that buy, save, and resell historic properties to preservation-minded buyers.
- Certified Local Government (CLG) Funds: Special grants reserved exclusively for “CLG” communities that maintain local preservation standards.
- Preservation Easements: Voluntary legal agreements that protect a property’s character in perpetuity, often providing significant charitable tax deductions for the owner.
- Property Tax Abatements: Local programs that freeze or reduce property taxes for a set period following a certified historic rehabilitation.
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- African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund
- Backing Historic Small Restaurants (Presented by American Express)
- General Grant Programs
- Main Street America: Opportunities
- Partners in Preservation (Sponsored by American Express)
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HistoricFunding.com – Join and access over 10k funding sources and work-training programs.
- Funding includes: Grants, Loans, Tax Credits, CLG Funds, Easement Programs.
- Work-Training/Educational Programs available: Scholarships, Fellowships, Paid Internships, Apprenticeships, Residencies.
- Geographic area: Covers the United States and US Territories. Local (City / Countywide), Statewide & Federal programs listed.
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Canadian Resources:
- Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP)
- National Trust for Canada: Regeneration Works – Find Funding
International Resources:
- The National Trust (UK): Grants & Funding
- UNESCO Culture Sector: International Funds Supporting Culture
- UNESCO “World Heritage Fund”: The Fund for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value
- World Monuments Fund
"The arts are not a luxury, but a necessity. They are the very soul of our nation, and it is through them that we tell our story and define our heritage."
President John F. Kennedy (35th U.S. President, 1963)
Find Funding - Join HistoricFunding.com
Unlock Access to Over 10,000 Historic Preservation & Arts Funding Sources. Find Grants | Loans | Tax Credits | Scholarships | Paid Internships & Fellowships | More!
