Historic Preservation Fund

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

Showing results 1-6 of 6

  • Viets’ Tavern in East Granby, CT

    The National Park Service's is now accepting applications for the Semiquincentennial Grant Program. This program was established by Congress in 2020 to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States by restoring and preserving sites and structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places that commemorate the founding of the nation.

  • State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division

    Tribal Heritage Grants Opportunity

    • Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division
    Woman dancing in traditional Sugpiaq regalia.

    The National Park Service's Tribal Heritage Grants Program (THG) is now accepting applications for competitive grants. National Park Service’s Tribal Heritage Grants Program focuses on protecting oral histories, traditional cultural practices, sacred and historic places, and enabling the establishment of tribal historic preservation offices.

  • State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division

    Historically Black Colleges & Universities Grant Opportunity

    • Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division
    Morrison Hall

    The National Park Service’s (NPS) Historically Black Colleges & Universities Grant Program (HBCU) is now accepting applications for competitive grants. The HBCU Preservation Grant Program exists to document, preserve, and stabilize structures on HBCU campuses that are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places either individually or as contributing to a National Register or National Historic Landmark historic district.

  • State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division

    Historic Preservation Fund Apportionment Update

    • Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division
    Streetscape on sunny day with blue sky and row of brick two-story commercial buildings

    Updates on the apportionment formula of Historic Preservation Fund appropriations to State Historic Preservation Offices.

  • Historic Preservation Fund Grant Collage

    Historic Preservation Fund Competitive Grant Sample Applications

    • Type: Series
    Rotunda Ceiling May 2011

    The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) is the funding source of preservation awards to States, Tribes, local governments, educational institutions, and non-profits. Established in 1977 and authorized at $150 million per year, funding for the HPF is provided by Outer Continental Shelf oil lease revenues instead of tax dollars. Since its establishment, the HPF has helped preserve hundreds of irreplaceable historic resources through various grant programs across the country.

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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Voice: 202-354-2020

Recent Historic Preservation Fund News

Showing results 1-10 of 39

    • Type: News
    • Offices: Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate, State, Tribal,
    • Date Released: 2025-01-15
    This photo depicts the home’s exterior in 2023.

    The National Park Service today announced $1,250,000 for 20 projects in 17 states and the District of Columbia for the survey and nomination of places and properties associated with groups that are underrepresented on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division

    Tribal Heritage Grants Opportunity

    • Type: Article
    • Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division
    Woman dancing in traditional Sugpiaq regalia.

    The National Park Service's Tribal Heritage Grants Program (THG) is now accepting applications for competitive grants. National Park Service’s Tribal Heritage Grants Program focuses on protecting oral histories, traditional cultural practices, sacred and historic places, and enabling the establishment of tribal historic preservation offices.

  • State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division

    Historically Black Colleges & Universities Grant Opportunity

    • Type: Article
    • Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division
    Morrison Hall

    The National Park Service’s (NPS) Historically Black Colleges & Universities Grant Program (HBCU) is now accepting applications for competitive grants. The HBCU Preservation Grant Program exists to document, preserve, and stabilize structures on HBCU campuses that are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places either individually or as contributing to a National Register or National Historic Landmark historic district.

    • Type: News
    • Offices: Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate, State, Tribal,
    • Date Released: 2024-09-10
    A row of three historic buildings line an inclined street.

    The National Park Service today announced $12.125 million in Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants to 17 subgrant programs in 15 states to support economic development through the preservation of historic buildings in rural communities across the country.

  • State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division

    Red Rocks Park and Mount Morrison Civilian Conservation Corps Camp

    • Type: Article
    • Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division
    Image of an outside concert venue, showing the rows of bench seats to the stage.

    The Red Rocks Park and Mount Morrison Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp is located in Morrison, Colorado. The Red Rocks Park and Mount Morrison CCC Camp is a stellar example of Federal and local government collaborative planning carried out with the manpower of the CCC. The CCC developed public landscapes and advanced outdoor recreation from the mid-1930s until the CCC program ended in 1942.

    • Type: News
    • Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, Office of Communications
    • Date Released: 2024-08-22
    An old wooden building with a metal roof with a leafless tree in front of it.

    The National Park Service (NPS) today awarded $10 million in funding from the Semiquincentennial Grant Program, an initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

    • Type: News
    • Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, Office of Communications
    • Date Released: 2024-08-20
    The front of a stone church with steps leading up to three doorways with ornate arches and stone columns.

    The National Park Service (NPS) today announced $25.7 million in Save America’s Treasures grants to fund 59 projects that will preserve nationally significant sites and historic collections in 26 states and the District of Columbia.

  • State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division

    FY2023 Funded Save America's Treasures Grant Projects

    • Type: Article
    • Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division
    Landscape photo - blue sky with clouds; mountains in background; grass with buildings in foreground.

    Grant projects selected for funding involving nationally significant historic and cultural resources under the Save America's Treasures grant program.

    • Type: News
    • Offices: Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate, Historic Preservation Fund, State,
    • Date Released: 2024-07-09
    Delaware State Hope House

    The National Park Service today awarded $10,670,000 to 15 projects in eight states as part of the Historic Preservation Fund’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities grant program, which focuses on the repair of historic structures on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

    • Type: News
    • Offices: Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate, State, Tribal,
    • Date Released: 2024-07-08
    Image of a pictograph in Nevada

    The National Park Service today announced $623,077 in grants for 10 projects from across the country to support the protection of America’s native cultures.

Last updated: October 19, 2021

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