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
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
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
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
- Type: Series
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.
Recent Historic Preservation Fund News
- National Park Service
National Park Service Awards $1.25 Million to Recognize Historic Underrepresented Communities
- Type: News
- Offices: Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate, State, Tribal, more »
- Date Released: 2025-01-15
- State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division
Tribal Heritage Grants Opportunity
- Type: Article
- Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division
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
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.
- National Park Service
National Park Service Awards $12 Million to Support Preservation in Rural Communities
- Type: News
- Offices: Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate, State, Tribal, more »
- Date Released: 2024-09-10
- 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
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.
- National Park Service
National Park Service Awards $10 Million to Historic Sites and Structures in 9 States to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary
- Type: News
- Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, Office of Communications
- Date Released: 2024-08-22
- National Park Service
National Park Service and Partner Agencies Award $25.7 Million to Preserve Significant Historic Sites and Collections
- Type: News
- Offices: State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, Office of Communications
- Date Released: 2024-08-20
- State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division
FY2023 Funded Save America's Treasures Grant Projects
- National Park Service
National Park Service Awards $10.6 Million to Preserve America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Type: News
- Offices: Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate, Historic Preservation Fund, State, more »
- Date Released: 2024-07-09
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).
- National Park Service
National Park Service Awards $623,077 to American Indian Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations
- Type: News
- Offices: Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate, State, Tribal, more »
- Date Released: 2024-07-08
Last updated: October 19, 2021