Historic Preservation Fund- Save America’s Treasures- Collection Grants
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations seeking to preserve and provide public access to nationally significant historic collections. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, Indian tribes, educational institutions, and qualified nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities). The program supports collection preservation activities, including documentation, conservation treatment, and environment control systems for items of cultural, historical, or architectural significance. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $250,000. Applicants must demonstrate national significance of their collections, financial commitment through cost-sharing requirements (typically 40% local match), and a clear preservation plan. Projects must be completed within defined grant periods.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
This grant is for organizations seeking to preserve and provide public access to nationally significant historic collections. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, Indian tribes, educational institutions, and qualified nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities). The program supports collection preservation activities, including documentation, conservation treatment, and environment control systems for items of cultural, historical, or architectural significance. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $250,000. Applicants must demonstrate national significance of their collections, financial commitment through cost-sharing requirements (typically 40% local match), and a clear preservation plan. Projects must be completed within defined grant periods.
Program description
Save America”s Treasures grants from the Historic Preservation Fund provide preservation and/or conservation assistance to nationally significant historic properties and collections. For collections, the program supports museums, libraries, archives, and all other collecting institutions in addressing conservation needs of nationally significant collections including physical conservation, curation, care, and collections management. Grants are awarded through a competitive process and require a dollar-for-dollar, non-Federal match, which can be cash or documented in-kind. The grant program is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).There are separate opportunities for preservation and collections projects. The collections opportunity can be found under opportunity number P25AS00508. The preservation opportunity can be found under opportunity Number P25AS00469.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- 501(c)(4) Social Welfare
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Museum
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public University
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for organizations seeking to preserve and provide public access to nationally significant historic collections. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, Indian tribes, educational institutions, and qualified nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities). The program supports collection preservation activities, including documentation, conservation treatment, and environment control systems for items of cultural, historical, or architectural significance. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $250,000. Applicants must demonstrate national significance of their collections, financial commitment through cost-sharing requirements (typically 40% local match), and a clear preservation plan. Projects must be completed within defined grant periods.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement (if required by agency)
- Project narrative describing collection, significance, preservation needs, and proposed activities
- Detailed budget and budget narrative
- Cost-share documentation (letters of commitment, board pledges, in-kind valuation forms)
- Organization's IRS 501(c) determination letter
- Organizational capacity documentation (staff resumes, conservation expertise, facility information)
- Condition assessments or conservation reports
- Proof of collection ownership or stewardship documentation
- Letters of support from community, state historic preservation office (SHPO), or scholarly experts
Program contact
- 👤 National Park Service
- 📧 STLPG@nps.gov
- 📞 202-697-2035
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.929 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$2,500,000
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,500,000
-
$800,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
Top States by Funding
- NY 13 awards $13.1M
- PA 12 awards $7.8M
- CA 6 awards $4.5M
- WI 5 awards $3.7M
- MD 5 awards $3.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.929). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2019 | $10,198,425 | |
| 2020 | $8,957,874 | |
| 2021 | $9,972,979 | |
| 2022 | $15,981,204 | |
| 2023 | $29,654,152 | |
| 2024 | $43,350,092 | |
| 2025 est. | $28,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $28,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for Save America's Treasures Collection Grants?
State and local governments, Indian tribes, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status, and some federal agencies may apply. Your organization must hold or have stewardship of nationally significant historic collections.
What types of collection preservation activities are funded?
Eligible activities include condition assessments, conservation treatment of artifacts, collection documentation and cataloging, environment control systems, storage improvements, and public access enhancements that support preservation and research.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
Yes, this program typically requires applicants to provide a 40% cost-share match. This can be in-kind donations, volunteer services, or direct funds, but federal funds cannot exceed 60% of total project costs.
What makes a collection "nationally significant"?
Collections must have demonstrated importance to American history, culture, or heritage. Documentation of historical importance, scholarly recognition, and public research value strengthen your case.
What is the typical timeline from application to project completion?
The application period typically runs about 30 days. Once awarded, grant projects usually must be completed within 24-36 months, depending on project scope and approved project period.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start your cost-share commitment early: Identify and document matching funds before submitting your application. Letters of commitment from partners, board pledges, and in-kind valuations should be clearly documented and realistic.
- Tell the preservation story: Clearly articulate why this collection is nationally significant and what would be lost without intervention. Include historical context, scholarly support, and community impact in your narrative.
- Develop a detailed conservation plan: Work with professional conservators or curators early to create a solid scope of work. Vague or overly ambitious project descriptions are common rejection reasons.
- Demonstrate readiness to implement: Show that your organization has capacity to manage the project. Include timelines, staffing plans, and any professional consultant agreements already in place.
- Use high-quality documentation: Professional photographs or video of collection condition, facility conditions, and environmental data strengthen your application. Poor-quality or missing documentation often signals lack of preparedness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail due to insufficient cost-share documentation or unrealistic in-kind valuations that reviewers cannot verify. Another common issue is overstating the national significance of collections without sufficient supporting evidence from scholars, experts, or published research. Projects with vague scopes of work, missing conservation assessments, or unclear timelines are frequently rejected because reviewers cannot determine if the organization can realistically complete the work.
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