National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF)

The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers the National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) to support preservation work at the local level. These grants are designed to provide seed money that sparks community interest and engagement in historic preservation projects, encouraging local initiative and private sector investment. The funding serves as a catalyst for preservation, promoting public education and enabling organizations to access necessary technical expertise. Grants generally range from $2,500 to $5,000, and while small, they are structured to have a significant impact, especially when leveraged with matching support. The NTPF program has allocated dedicated funding for specific U.S. states and the District of Columbia for the February 2, 2026 deadline. These states include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland (Annapolis only), Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Washington, D.C. Applicants from other states are encouraged to contact the program for potential alternative opportunities. Eligible applicants include public agencies, 501(c)(3) organizations, and other nonprofit entities. Past grantees may reapply if their previous grants are in good standing, but an organization may not receive more than one grant per round or more than three grants within a two-year period. Eligibility is further restricted to members of certain affiliated programs, such as the Preservation Leadership Forum and Main Street America. Membership is not required at the time of application, but is mandatory prior to disbursement of funds. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for the grant, which may come from cash or in-kind sources, including labor, materials, services, or fundraising activities. The grant funds and matching contributions must be used for eligible expenses, such as planning activities (e.g., hiring preservation architects, landscape architects, or consultants for studies and reports) and educational outreach initiatives designed to engage the public, particularly underserved audiences. Construction, acquisition, and general conference support are ineligible uses of funds. The application process is competitive and conducted three times per year, with deadlines in February, June, and October. For the current cycle, the application deadline is February 2, 2026. Applications are submitted through an online portal, which opens approximately six to eight weeks prior to each deadline. Notification of awards typically occurs within ten weeks after submission. The program also allows for emergency funding in crisis situations, such as fires or imminent demolition threats, where immediate intervention is necessary. In these cases, the matching requirement is waived. To apply, organizations must submit digital images of the project site, documentation of nonprofit status, a consent letter from the property owner (if applicable), and a detailed budget. The application must be completed through the National Trust’s grants portal. Questions about eligibility or the process can be directed to grants@savingplaces.org. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and can be contacted at 202-588-6000 or 800-944-6847.

Demonstrate project urgency and alignment with preservation standards. Highlight educational or outreach goals to new audiences.