Henry A. Jordan, M.D., Preservation Excellence Fund

The Henry A. Jordan, M.D., Preservation Excellence Fund is administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting historic places and promoting preservation across the United States. Established in November 1996, the fund honors Dr. Jordan’s leadership and contributions to the national preservation movement. The program focuses specifically on supporting preservation-related initiatives within the Mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The primary purpose of the fund is to support innovative projects and programs that advance historic preservation and environmental stewardship. Funded activities are expected to foster collaboration across sectors such as land conservation, business development, transportation, and government, with the goal of protecting cultural landscapes and promoting sustainable communities. The program also emphasizes public engagement, encouraging projects that increase awareness of preservation issues and involve broader audiences in community sustainability efforts. Funding is available for planning and educational activities rather than construction or capital improvements. Eligible uses include hiring professional consultants such as preservation architects, planners, or engineers; conducting feasibility studies; developing design guidelines; and organizing community forums or educational outreach programs. Funds may also support materials development, mailing costs, and limited staff salaries for nonprofit applicants directly involved in the project. However, expenditures such as construction, acquisition of property, academic research, general conference support, and organizational overhead are explicitly prohibited. Applicants may request up to $7,500 in funding. While matching funds are not strictly required, applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a one-to-one match from public or private sources, including earned income or fundraising activities. Additional program conditions include compliance with federal lobbying restrictions, adherence to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for preservation work, and procurement requirements for larger contracts. Grant recipients must also begin their project within six months of award and complete it within one year, including submission of a final report and financial accounting. Eligibility is limited to public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and other nonprofit entities. Applicants must be in good standing if they have previously received funding from the National Trust. Although organizations do not need to be members of the National Trust or affiliated programs at the time of application, selected grantees must obtain membership prior to receiving funds. Additionally, only one grant per organization per round and per project phase is permitted, and no more than three grants may be awarded to a single organization within a two-year period. The application process is conducted through the National Trust’s online grants portal, which opens approximately six to eight weeks prior to the deadline. Applicants must submit a completed application including a project budget, supporting documentation such as IRS determination letters, and up to three high-resolution images. Additional requirements may include property owner consent letters if applicable. Applications are reviewed over a period of approximately ten weeks following the deadline, after which applicants are notified via email regarding funding decisions. The next application deadline is June 1, 2026. The program operates on a recurring basis, with similar annual deadlines expected in subsequent years. While specific contact individuals are not named, applicants may seek assistance from National Trust grants staff via email or phone. The program emphasizes clear alignment with its evaluation criteria, particularly innovation, collaboration, and impact on preservation awareness and policy development, as key factors in award decisions.