Historic Preservation Fund – Semiquincentennial Grants in the US

These grants are funded by the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), administered by the NPS, and will fund physical preservation of buildings, sites, structures, objects, or historic districts, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Grants are awarded through a competitive process and do not require non-Federal match, though match may be considered as a competitive factor.

The purpose of this funding program is to support the physical preservation of a broad variety of cultural resources associated with the founding of America as a nation in commemoration of the country’s semiquincentennial (250th anniversary of founding).

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Funding: $10,000,000
• Maximum Award: $750,000
• Minimum Award: $15,000
• Pre-preservation projects must range from $15,000 to $75,000 in federal share. Preservation projects must range from $75,000 to $750,000, of which no more than 20% may go toward pre preservation costs including architectural and engineering services

Eligible Activities

• All project work must be undertaken for the physical preservation and/or necessary pre- preservation work. Activities related to drafting or amending National Register nominations for the subject resource are eligible costs.
• Pre-preservation Projects
  • Pre-preservation projects may include the development of resource-specific architectural plans and specifications, historic structure reports, studies, and related surveys. Archaeological and architectural surveys that seek only to identify sites associated with this period are not eligible.
  • Amendments or updates to the National Register nomination for the resource are eligible as grant supported activities if the document is out of date or does not adequately reflect all areas of significance. Preparation of National Register nominations alone is not eligible and must be accompanied by other eligible pre-preservation activities.
• Preservation Projects
  • Preservation projects fund physical preservation of a historic site to include historic districts, buildings, sites, structures, and objects.
  • The repair and rehabilitation of historic properties must be conducted according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Archeology and Historic Preservation.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Applicants
  • State governments
  • County governments
  • City or township governments
  • Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
  • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  • Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Additional Information on Eligibility:
  • Eligible applicants are State governments, local governments, nonprofits (including non-profit institutions of higher education), and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations as defined by 54 USC 300300. Grants are not available for sites or collections owned by the NPS.

Ineligible

• Construction of new buildings;
• Acquisition of collections or historic sites;
• Conservation of collections;
• Long-term maintenance or curatorial work beyond the grant period
• Reconstructing historic properties (recreating all or a significant portion that no longer exists);
• Moving historic properties or work on moved historic properties that are no longer eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places;
• Cash reserves, endowments, revolving funds, or fund-raising costs;
• Work performed prior to receipt of grant funding;
• Work on sites or collections owned by the NPS;
• Lobbying or advocacy activities.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.