Best Preservation Grants in Arkansas

Civic groups and community organizations in Arkansas can apply for Arkansas Historic Preservation Program’s cost-share historic marker funding, covering US $1,290 - US $1,355 per marker. Support helps commemorate people, places, and events at least 50 years old, advancing local historic preservation and public education through permanent roadside or site markers.

Arkansas Historic Preservation Program

The work of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) is all about discovering, documenting and preserving the historic treasures of our state—from homes and courthouses, to cemeteries and monuments, even battlefields and Native American mounds.   

We are located inside the Arkansas Heritage building and our program is divided into areas to help us better serve the people of our state. The AHPP works to save the special places that tell the story of Arkansas. It works with people across the state and beyond to identify, protect and promote our special places – our Historic Arkansas.

County Courthouse Restoration Grant

The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) administers or assists with grant programs that seek to preserve the state's historic resources while broadening our appreciation of Arkansas history and historic preservation. The programs, financed through proceeds of the state Real Estate Transfer Tax, and/or federal funds received from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, provide assistance to governments, organizations and individuals seeking to preserve historic Arkansas for future generations to learn from and enjoy. Certified Local Government, Historic Preservation Restoration and County Courthouse Restoration Subgrants Grants have been distributed across the state.

The AHPP's County Courthouse Restoration Subgrants have been used to help restore 79 historic county courthouses and courthouse annexes in 67 of the state's 75 counties since they were created in 1989, helping to extend the lives of structures that hold vital links to community pride and local history. Participating counties donate conservation easements on their historic county courthouses in return for financial assistance in rehabilitating the buildings. Grant funds come primarily from the Real Estate Transfer Tax, administered by the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council. Total amounts available to be shared among applicants annually have ranged from $150,000 to $1,000,000.

Focused on historic preservation, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program invites Arkansas property owners, nonprofits, and local governments to apply for restoration funding for eligible historic buildings and cemeteries. Grants support work on Arkansas Register and National Register properties, with required cash matches and, for some options, conservation easements to protect long-term preservation.

Arkansas organizations planning transportation-related projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, and community improvements in Arkansas can access funding through the Arkansas Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program. This reimbursement program supports eligible smaller-scale projects, including historic preservation and environmental mitigation that enhance quality of life and community character.

Nonprofits, community groups, and other organizations in Arkansas can apply for the Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant, awarding up to US $3,500 for African American historic preservation and public programming projects. Administered by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, it supports research, exhibits, workshops, publications, oral histories, films, and cemetery preservation.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofits in Arkansas can apply for National Trust for Historic Preservation grants of US $2,500 - US $5,000 to support historic preservation planning and education projects. Funding can cover professional consultants, staff time, community forums, and innovative outreach to engage new audiences in preservation.

Public charities focused on historic preservation and Southern history projects in Arkansas and the broader Southeast can receive US $33,000 for operating, program, research, or publication support. Watson Brown Foundation funds museums, archives, colleges, universities, and similar organizations advancing knowledge of Southern culture, especially in disciplines like history, literature, law, agricultural education, and preservation.

Historic preservation organizations in Arkansas that are dues-paying members of the National Preservation Partners Network can seek up to US $10,000 to support advocacy, capacity building, or climate-related projects. The Moe Family Fund from the National Trust for Historic Preservation backs innovative, catalytic efforts that strengthen preservation partners and can be replicated by others.

Individual engineers, architects, and other preservation-related professionals in Arkansas can seek funding for original proposals in historic preservation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of the built environment. James Marston Fitch Foundation’s Robert Silman Award offers up to US $15,000 for U.S.-based projects that advance preservation practice and share results with the wider preservation community.

Focused on historic preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation invites Arkansas public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits to seek US $150,000 grants for planning and limited capital work on modern buildings designed by Black architects. Funding supports research, conservation planning, feasibility studies, and related technical assessments for significant 20th-century sites serving the public.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Arkansas planning or carrying out historic preservation projects can apply for US $2,500 - US $15,000 to support planning, education, and bricks-and-mortar work. With a mission to preserve historic environments, National Trust for Historic Preservation funds consultant services, preservation programs, communications, conferences, and restoration with a required dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Arkansas preserving historic interiors can apply for the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund, with awards of US $2,500 - US $15,000 for planning, education, and interior restoration projects. Individuals and for-profit businesses may be eligible when working with a National Historic Landmark and providing a dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Arkansas towns with populations of 10,000 or less can seek funding for historic preservation planning and education projects. Focused on local preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation offers US $2,500 - US $15,000 to support professional consulting, feasibility studies, community forums, and outreach materials that engage new audiences.

Arkansas congregations stewarding historic houses of worship can access funding for major capital preservation projects, including structural repairs, building envelope work, accessibility upgrades, and community-serving space renovations. Through the National Fund for Sacred Places, Partners for Sacred Places offers US $50,000 - US $500,000 matching grants plus training, technical assistance, and planning support for eligible, community-engaged, and fundraising-ready congregations nationwide.

North American not-for-profit organizations responsible for cultural property, including Arkansas institutions, can be nominated for the Ross Merrill Award recognizing outstanding preservation and care of collections. Offered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, this non-monetary award honors exemplary, long-term conservation practice, planning, and community outreach in museums, historic sites, libraries, and similar collections-based organizations.

Historic preservation nonprofits and public agencies in Arkansas that are Organizational Level Forum or Main Street America members can seek up to US $2,500 for peer mentoring and leadership development. Focused on organizational capacity, the National Trust for Historic Preservation funds travel and mentor honoraria to strengthen preservation programs and boards.

Accredited charities running humanitarian, educational, environmental, or contemporary arts projects in Arkansas may be eligible for philanthropic support that promotes sustainable development and community benefit. La Roche supports high-quality initiatives worldwide that engage its expertise and employees, including community and environment efforts that could complement local historic preservation and cultural heritage work.

Arkansas entities representing historic Black churches seeking funds for preservation, planning, or programming can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preserving Black Churches Grant Program; awards range from US $50,000 - US $500,000. Eligible applicants include congregations, 501(c)(3) stewards, and public agencies focused on preserving and reusing historic Black houses of worship.

With a mission to empower women’s collective giving, Impact100 Global Veterans provides Arkansas preservation and veteran-serving nonprofits with up to US $100,000 for projects in arts and culture, education, environment, family, and health. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must serve veterans in the U.S. or its territories and complete projects within two years.

Community preservation and agriculture-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Arkansas can receive support for farming, agriculture, historic farm and barn preservation, equipment, or natural resource conservation projects. The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Mishler Brown Fund accepts applications from U.S. nonprofits, awarding annual grants sized to match the scope of proposed projects.

Historic preservation and related cultural or educational nonprofits in Arkansas can seek funding to improve quality of life through The Valley Foundation’s grants. Focused on educational, historical, and preservation programs, this U.S.-wide funder supports 501(c)(3) organizations working on heritage, health, human services, and community betterment initiatives.

The Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund, established by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, has distributed over $16.3 million in grants since 1999. It supports charitable organizations and local governments in eleven Oregon counties, as well as Native American initiatives across the U.S. The fund prioritizes education, health, public safety, addiction prevention, housing, arts, and environmental preservation, ensuring the Tribe's commitment to community support and cultural heritage.

The Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation offers grants to support charitable, educational, and community-focused initiatives, primarily in Florida and Georgia. Eligible applicants must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations. The foundation prioritizes projects that address children's welfare, education, multicultural understanding, substance abuse prevention, and homelessness. Grants typically do not exceed $15,000, and proposals must be endorsed by a Foundation Director. Interested parties should submit a Letter of Inquiry for consideration.

The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation offers grants to 501(c)(3) organizations focused on sight preservation, children's services, and environmental conservation, primarily in Utah. Established in memory of David Kelby Johnson, who tragically lost his life at a young age, the foundation aims to honor his legacy by supporting impactful charitable initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $100,000, with a commitment to improving communities both locally and globally.

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials.

IBMA  Foundation Project Grants

The IBMA Foundation awards project grants each year, usually in amounts between $1,000 and $2,500. The deadline to apply is December 2. Projects must align with the Foundation’s mission in one of the following areas

• Arts & culture
• Education
• Literary or academic programs
• History preservation

The Society of the Order of the Southern Cross Grant aims to support charitable projects that preserve and restore Southern heritage artifacts and locations. Eligible projects may include military artifacts, monuments, and historical sites. Organizations typically need to secure 50% of necessary funding before applying. The Order encourages discussions for projects that may not meet standard funding levels, emphasizing their commitment to preserving cultural heritage.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County supports nearly 70 academic, sports, special circumstances, and 4-H scholarships. Search scholarships by name, or sort by application type.

Jay A. Graybeal Scholarship

The purpose of the Jay A. Graybeal Scholarship is to provide scholarships to college bound high school students, or students currently enrolled in undergraduate studies or pursuing post-graduate studies in general history or a specialty area of studies in history to include but not limited to; museum studies, archival management, library science, historic preservation, material culture, American Studies, archaeology, anthropology, art or architectural history or preservation technology; or to students pursuing a recognized certification or apprentice program dedicated to traditional arts, industries, trades or crafts.

The Scholarship amount is $1,000.