FY2025 Historic Preservation Fund- African American Civil Rights- Preservation Grants

The African American Civil Rights Preservation Grants program is administered by the National Park Service under the U.S. Department of the Interior and funded through the Historic Preservation Fund. This federal initiative is designed to support the documentation and preservation of sites that represent the full history of the African American struggle for equal rights, beginning with the transatlantic slave trade and continuing through the civil rights movement. The program aligns with federal preservation mandates and leverages established frameworks such as the Civil Rights in America report to guide project eligibility and historical significance. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide financial assistance for physical preservation activities at historic sites associated with African American civil rights. Eligible projects include architectural services, historic structure reports, preservation planning, and direct physical rehabilitation of buildings and structures. All funded properties must be listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or designated as National Historic Landmarks, and they must demonstrate clear historical ties to civil rights themes. Projects that are not yet listed must include efforts to secure or amend such designation as part of the grant scope. Funding is provided through a competitive grant process with no required non-federal cost share, although cost efficiency and administrative cost minimization are considered favorably in evaluation. Awards range from smaller pre-preservation planning grants to larger-scale construction and rehabilitation projects, with specific thresholds governing allowable activities. Administrative and indirect costs are capped at 25 percent of the total project cost, and projects must adhere to federal cost principles and preservation standards. Certain activities, such as new construction, acquisition of properties, or long-term maintenance beyond the grant period, are explicitly excluded from funding. Eligibility for the program is broad and includes state and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education. Additional eligible entities include Native Hawaiian organizations and Alaska Native groups as defined by federal statute. However, properties owned or controlled by the National Park Service are not eligible for funding. Applicants must also complete required federal registrations, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and maintaining an active SAM.gov registration, prior to submission. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes a comprehensive set of forms and supporting documentation. Required materials include standard federal forms such as SF-424 and budget worksheets, as well as detailed project narratives, financial statements, and supporting documentation such as photographs, eligibility worksheets, and letters of support or consent when applicable. Applicants must demonstrate alignment with evaluation criteria that assess project significance, urgency, feasibility, and long-term sustainability, each weighted equally in the review process. Applications must be submitted electronically by the specified deadline, and late submissions are not considered. The review process includes eligibility screening followed by a merit-based evaluation conducted by federal reviewers. Award decisions consider both evaluation scores and programmatic priorities, with final selections made by a designated official. Applicants are notified of funding decisions approximately six months after the application deadline, and successful projects are expected to begin following execution of a formal grant agreement. The anticipated performance period for funded projects is up to three years, during which recipients must comply with federal reporting, preservation standards, and regulatory requirements including environmental and historic preservation reviews. The program does not explicitly state recurrence, but it is part of an ongoing federal funding initiative supported through annual appropriations, suggesting a likelihood of future funding cycles subject to congressional authorization.

STLPG@nps.gov