Historic Preservation Fund- Save America’s Treasures – Preservation Grants
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations and institutions seeking federal support to preserve historic buildings, structures, and cultural properties of national significance. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and tribal organizations that own or have documented preservation responsibility for historic properties listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The program supports a wide geographic scope across the United States and its territories. Funded activities include acquisition, restoration, rehabilitation, and stabilization of historic buildings and sites; preservation of collections; and planning and documentation projects. Applicants must demonstrate the project's national significance and show strong financial and organizational capacity to complete the work.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
This grant is for organizations and institutions seeking federal support to preserve historic buildings, structures, and cultural properties of national significance. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and tribal organizations that own or have documented preservation responsibility for historic properties listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The program supports a wide geographic scope across the United States and its territories. Funded activities include acquisition, restoration, rehabilitation, and stabilization of historic buildings and sites; preservation of collections; and planning and documentation projects. Applicants must demonstrate the project's national significance and show strong financial and organizational capacity to complete the work.
Program description
Save America”s Treasures (SAT) grants from the Historic Preservation Fund provide preservation and/or conservation assistance to nationally significant historic properties and collections. 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 preservation opportunity can be found under opportunity number P25AS00469. The collections opportunity can be found under opportunity number P25AS00508. FY2025 Public Law 119-4 provides $25.5 million for the SAT Grant Program.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Private Foundation
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public University
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for organizations and institutions seeking federal support to preserve historic buildings, structures, and cultural properties of national significance. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and tribal organizations that own or have documented preservation responsibility for historic properties listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The program supports a wide geographic scope across the United States and its territories. Funded activities include acquisition, restoration, rehabilitation, and stabilization of historic buildings and sites; preservation of collections; and planning and documentation projects. Applicants must demonstrate the project's national significance and show strong financial and organizational capacity to complete the work.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Completed SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) form
- SF-424 Supplement (if applicable)
- Project narrative describing the property, its historical and cultural significance, the scope of work, and expected outcomes
- Detailed project budget and budget narrative
- Letters of support from state historic preservation office (SHPO) and local officials
- Evidence of ownership or preservation responsibility for the property
- Proof of tax-exempt status (501(c)(3) letter, government documentation, or tribal recognition)
- Historic property documentation (National Register listing, eligibility report, or historical research)
- Preservation plan or condition assessment prepared by a qualified professional
- Evidence of matching funds commitment or preliminary pledges
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 grants?
Nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and tribal organizations can apply. Your organization must have legal ownership or clearly documented preservation responsibility for a historic property listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the application deadline and timeline?
The application period opens May 15, 2026, and closes June 16, 2026. You should allow at least 4–6 weeks before the deadline to complete your application.
What types of projects can be funded?
Fundable activities include restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings, acquisition of endangered historic properties, preservation of historic collections, and comprehensive preservation planning and documentation projects. Projects should demonstrate significant historical, architectural, or cultural value.
How competitive is this program and what should I expect?
This is a highly competitive grant program. Fewer than 10–15% of applications are typically funded. Projects that demonstrate national significance, strong preservation plans, financial stability, and local/state support are most competitive.
What is the typical funding range?
Grants typically range from $25,000 to $500,000 depending on project scope and national significance, though amounts vary by round. Match requirements typically range from 20–50% depending on the project type and applicant capacity.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish clear national significance: Explicitly articulate why this property or collection matters to the nation's cultural heritage, not just to your local community. Connect your project to broader historical narratives.
- Demonstrate financial and technical capacity: Show that your organization has the expertise, staffing, and financial stability to complete the project successfully. Include evidence of past preservation successes if available.
- Develop a detailed preservation plan: Before applying, engage a qualified preservation professional to assess the property and create a realistic scope of work, timeline, and budget. Vague or overambitious scopes are frequently rejected.
- Secure matching funds early: Identify and commit at least 20–50% non-federal match. Demonstrate that other funders and stakeholders (foundations, state/local government, private donors) have or will support the project.
- Build strong local and state support: Include letters of support from your state historic preservation office (SHPO), local officials, and community leaders. SHPO review is often a critical factor in competitiveness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they underestimate the scope of work and budget required for quality preservation, leading to incomplete projects. Many organizations lack clear evidence of national significance or fail to explain why a property matters beyond its local context. Weak financial planning—including unrealistic timelines, inadequate match funding, or unclear spending plans—is a frequent cause of rejection.
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