The Save America’s Treasures program was created in 1998 to honor America’s cultural resources as the new millennium approached. Since that time, they have granted over $300 million in funding to historic sites and collections of national significance. This grant is a joint program of the National Park Service, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Grant applications fall under one of two categories:

1. Preservation – For National Historic Landmarks or sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places
2. Collections – For sets of historic pieces such as artifacts, documents, sculptures, and other art collections of national significance

The Preservation Grant program expects to make approximately 55 awards in 2024 for a total of $26.5 million. Requests may be between $125,000 and $750,000 and require a 1:1 match of non-federal funds. Applications are due through Grants.gov by December 19, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

• Units of state, county, city, or special district government
• Independent school districts
• Public and State colleges, universities, and other post-secondary education institutions
• Private colleges, universities, and other post-secondary education institutions
• Native American Tribes, both Federally recognized or unrecognized
• Nonprofits with or without 501(c)3 status
• Federal agencies, except the National Park Service

Eligible Costs

Grant funds may be spent on:

• Property rehabilitation
• Production of a sign for the project
• Training or reporting associated with the project
• Costs to administer the project
• Establishing/administering a property easement or covenant
• Audits and required financial requests

Grant funds may not be spent on:

• New construction
• Reconstruction of historic properties
• Purchasing property
• Long-term maintenance
• Moving historic properties or work on properties that are no longer eligible for the National Register because they’ve been moved
• Any work completed before the grant agreement is signed
• Lobbying or advocacy
• Endowments, cash reserves, or fundraising
• Administrative costs over 25%

Application Requirements

Applications should include:

• Letter of Owner Consent if the owner and applicant are not the same person or entity
• Photos of the property showing current conditions and how it’s at risk
• Letters of support from partners and committed matching funds

Historic Preservation Fund Easement

Award recipients must sign a preservation Covenant/Easement with their State or Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. This certifies their commitment to maintaining the property after the grant period is over. The covenant/easement must be approved by the National Park Service. Minimum term length is dependent on the amount of funding received.

• $1 to $50,000 – Covenant/easement not required; minimum five year preservation agreement
• $50,001 to $250,000 – Ten year minimum
• $250,001 to $500,000 – Fifteen year minimum
• $500,001 to $750,000 – Twenty year minimum
• $750,001 or more – Twenty five year minimum