Incentives and Grants for Historic Preservation
Funding historic preservation projects can be challenging due to often limited funding options. However, with a bit of research and work, the options that are available may prove workable for a variety of preservation endeavors. Listed on this page are some of the current grant and incentive programs for preservation. This is not a comprehensive list, but it does provide a good springboard for doing further research on other funding possibilities.
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Federal
Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program
Owners of historic income-producing properties may be able to qualify for the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program, which provides tax credits to qualifying projects.
ADA Business Tax Credit and Deduction for Eligible Access Expenditures
To assist businesses with complying with the ADA, Section 44 of the IRS Code allows a tax credit for small businesses and Section 190 of the IRS Code allows a tax deduction for all businesses. To learn more about the tax credit and tax deduction provisions go to IRS Tax Credit and Deductions.
National Park Service
The National Park Service (NPS) administers several important grant programs funded through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), including among others, NAGPRA, Underrepresented Communities, African American Civil Rights, and Japanese American Confinement Site grants. Information about these and other NPS grant programs, can be found on the HPF Grant Programs page.
The NPS also offers cost-share grants through the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, to support research, planning, education, and preservation projects related to preserving historic Route 66 road segments, cultural landscapes, and associated resources. Note: Cost-share grant funding is subject to annual fiscal year congressional approval and appropriations.
National Endowment for the Humanities
A variety of planning and implementation grants are offered by the National Endowment for the Humanities for projects involving historical and cultural organizations.
State and Local
State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program
The California State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit is scheduled to launch in 2024 and will be administered by the Office of Historic Preservation and the California Tax Credit Allowance Committee. The program will provide tax credits to support the rehabilitation and reuse of qualifying public and private historic resources.
Mills Act
In California, local governments participating in the Mills Act can provide preservation incentives to owners of historic properties, who rehabilitate and maintain the historic character and defining features of their properties.
Certified Local Government Program
Qualified local governments may also apply for grants through the Certified Local Government Program (CLG) administered through the Office of Historic Preservation. CLG grants assist with local preservation planning and programs.
Local/Regional Funding Programs
Historic property owners are encouraged to contact their local government to determine what incentives or loan programs may be available locally.
Public / Private
There are a number of preservation and cultural heritage focused organizations and institutions that offer grant opportunities. Listed here are some of the more well-known, though we encourage you to expand your options through further searching, including local organizations that may offer funding programs of their own.
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 a series of special grant programs. Vist the NTHP Grant Programs page for details on all grant offerings.
National Fund for Sacred Places is a collaborative funding program between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Partners for Sacred Places, dedicated to helping congregations with older historic buildings sustain and actively use their sacred places.
Main Street America offers grant programs that support communities committed to preservation-based economic development and revitalization in historic downtowns and commercial districts.
Getty Conservation Institute supports efforts to preserve buildings, sites, and designed landscapes of outstanding architectural, historical, and cultural significance.
California Humanities offers grant programs to eligible nonprofits and public agencies that document, promote, and preserve California heritage through cultural projects.