What is the Historic Preservation Fund?
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 set the federal vision for historic preservation in the United States. To support the vision and framework laid out in this act, the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) was established in 1977 to provide financial assistance to, originally, states, to carry out activities related to preservation. Funding is provided from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas lease revenues, not tax dollars, and an amount is appropriated annually by Congress. Awards from the HPF are made to States, Tribes, Territories, local governments, and non-profits. The National Park Service's State, Tribal, Local, Plans & Grants Division manages the programs and grant awards funded by the HPF. Today, the fund is the primary Federal funding source for matching grants to State and Tribal historic preservation offices and other eligible recipients to pay for such things as surveys and repair of historic resources, training, nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, and grants to local jurisdictions for their preservation priorities. In short, the HPF makes preservation possible. This fund is an expression of federal commitment to America's rich heritage that has invested more than $2 billion in communities since the early 1970s.
Where is More Information on Grants Available?
A full listing of available grants, including whether applications are currently being accepted, may be found on the Historic Preservation Fund website.
Grant Programs Currently Accepting Applications
Contact the State, Tribal, Local, Plans & Grants Division
While more information is available about grant programs is available on the division's website, you can also contact them for questions you have about possible projects, the applicaiton process, or the availability of funding.
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Last updated: October 19, 2021