Potential Funding Sources for Historic Preservation

California Humanities offers grant programs to eligible nonprofits and public agencies that document, promote, and preserve California heritage through cultural projects.


Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Communities Program (Contact your local community development department)


The Getty Conservation Institute  supports efforts to preserve buildings, sites, and designed landscapes of outstanding architectural, historical, and cultural significance. Planning Grants assist in the initial development of an overall conservation plan. Support is also available on a selective basis for the development of archaeological site management plans. Implementation Grants assist in the actual conservation of a building's historic structure and fabric.


The Home Depot Foundation is dedicated to creating healthy, livable communities through the integration of affordable housing built responsibly and the preservation and restoration of community trees. The foundation makes grants to 501(c)3) tax-exempt public charities in the  United States and to charitable organizations in Canada. Preference is given to proposals that include community engagement that result in the production, preservation, or financing of housing units for low- to moderate-income families which meet certain criteria including resource conservation, green building, innovations in materials or technology, and smart site planning and land use.


National Endowment for the Humanities offers a variety of planning and implementation grants for various projects involving historical and cultural organizations.  Questions? Contact the staff of NEH`s Division of Preservation and Access at 202-606-8570 and preservation@neh.gov. Hearing-impaired applicants can contact NEH via TDD at 1-866-372-2930.


The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) offers several types of financial assistance for preservation related projects through their National Trust Preservation Funds grant program as well as special grant programs administered through the NTHP. 

The National Trust for Historic Preservation - How to Fund Your Preservation Project


The National Fund for Sacred Places is a collaborative funding program between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Partners for Sacred Placesa national, non-sectarian, non-profit organization dedicated to helping congregations with older historic buildings sustain and actively use their sacred places.


The United States Small Business Administration guarantees small business, low interest loans for purchasing property, construction, inventory and other business expenses. It also provides training and educational programs to assist small business owners with business plans, budgeting, and management.