Best Grants for Historic Preservation in California

California 501(c)(3) nonprofits with community-supported projects can seek Hind Foundation’s Standard Grant to restore, preserve, or acquire historic landmarks 100 years or older. Focused on visible, lasting community impact, this program supports capital projects such as building improvements, monuments, and other historically significant sites within the foundation’s defined funding areas.

Accredited charities in California working on historic preservation, community development, or related cultural projects can seek philanthropic support for innovative, high-quality initiatives. Roche prioritizes sustainable development efforts that may engage its expertise, logistics, and employees, including projects in community and environment, arts and culture, and humanitarian and social services.

California 501(c)(3) nonprofits with community-backed funding can request up to US $2,500 for historic landmark restoration projects, including preservation, acquisition, or improvements to 100-year-old buildings, monuments, landmarks, or documents. Hind Foundation’s Supplemental Grant also supports related California-based projects within its broader conservation and arts funding areas.

California archives, governments, colleges, tribes, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits preserving LGBTQ+ historical materials can seek US $5,000 - US $200,000 to protect and share their collections. Focused on archival preservation and public access, the California State Library invites projects that document LGBTQ+ history and enrich the state’s historic preservation landscape.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties can seek approximately US $100,000 for new or expanding initiatives in arts and culture, education, environment, family services, or health and wellness. With a mission to empower women’s collective philanthropy, Impact 100 East Bay provides transformational project funding that may benefit historic preservation efforts within these communities.

Grants from Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation help California 501(c)(3) organizations fund capital projects in youth, education, health, community, recreation, the arts, and historic preservation on Santa Barbara’s South Coast. Eligible nonprofits can request US $10,000 - US $1,000,000 for site acquisition, construction or renovation, restoration, infrastructure upgrades, beautification, parks, equipment, and similar long-term improvements.

Public agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations preserving historic Route 66 sites in California and other corridor states can receive US $2,500 - US $10,000 for restoration, stabilization, acquisition, and related project costs. The National Trust for Historic Preservation supports bricks-and-mortar work, consultant services, education programs, and preservation-focused communications for places connected to Route 66.

California historic preservation organizations, public agencies, and entities representing historic Black churches can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation to preserve and steward historic Black houses of worship. Grants of US $50,000 - US $500,000 support capital projects, planning, staffing, endowments, and cultural programming through the Preserving Black Churches Grant Program.

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

Individual engineers, architects, and related design professionals working on historic preservation proposals in California and across the U.S. can apply for the Robert Silman Award, offering up to US $15,000 for innovative preservation studies. James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation supports projects that advance preservation practice and share results with the wider preservation community.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California preserving modern buildings designed by Black architects can seek US $150,000 project planning and limited capital support from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Conserving Black Modernism program. Funding emphasizes research, conservation planning, and stewardship of significant 20th-century historic assets, including campuses, cultural centers, and community sites.

Public agencies, nonprofits, special districts, cities, and tribes in California can apply for the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy’s Proposition 68 grants, awarding more than US $2,500 for land conservation, watershed health, and outdoor recreation projects. Historic preservation efforts tied to parks, trails, or protected landscapes in Riverside County may be eligible.

Nonprofits and local entities working on recreation, tourism, historic and cultural preservation, or environmental education in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta can apply for the Community and Economic Enhancement Grant Program. This Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy funding may benefit historic preservation projects that sustain Delta heritage while enhancing community vitality and public access.

California nonprofits working on historic preservation, youth, seniors, or community services can seek flexible Community Grants supporting local programs and general operations. Focused on education, youth development, end-of-life care, historic preservation, and human services, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County prioritizes organizations addressing pressing issues and inequities in Santa Cruz County.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in California seeking funds for historic preservation planning, education, or restoration can apply for the Johanna Favrot Fund, awarding US $2,500 - US $15,000. With a mission to preserve historic environments, the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports consultant services, communications, conferences, and bricks-and-mortar work on designated historic sites.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in California preserving historic interiors can apply for the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund, which awards US $2,500 - US $15,000 for planning, education, and restoration projects. Administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, eligible work includes professional studies, conservation plans, furnishings plans, workshops, and interior bricks-and-mortar preservation with a required cash match.

Focused on historic preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation invites California public agencies and nonprofits in towns of 10,000 or less to seek seed funding for planning and education projects. Grants of US $2,500 - US $15,000 support professional consulting, feasibility studies, design guidelines, and public outreach introducing communities to preservation concepts.

California congregations with historic houses of worship undertaking major preservation or accessibility capital projects can access funding through the National Fund for Sacred Places; awards US $50,000 - US $500,000 for matched projects. This Partners for Sacred Places program supports community-serving, historically significant sacred sites across the U.S., including technical assistance and fundraising support.

The Ross Merrill Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections recognizes North American institutions demonstrating exceptional dedication to conservation. This award highlights organizations that engage in significant outreach, involve conservation professionals, and show a commitment to community education regarding the importance of preserving cultural heritage. While no monetary prize accompanies the award, it serves as a prestigious acknowledgment of exemplary conservation efforts. Nominations are encouraged from both inside and outside organizations.

The Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation, established in 1963, is dedicated to enhancing life quality in communities linked to California pioneer Henry Mayo Newhall. It funds initiatives in academic enrichment, animal welfare, scholarships, historical preservation, and outreach for the disadvantaged. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $20,000 for one year, with potential renewals based on effectiveness. The Foundation prioritizes proposals from nonprofit organizations in specific California regions, emphasizing matching or challenge grants.

Tustin Community Foundation

The Tustin Community Foundation coordinates community resources to create positive change and support the area’s actual and most pressing needs.

Providing grants for local nonprofit organizations and schools is the primary way the Foundation makes an impact. Since 2008, 88 local nonprofit organizations, schools and community wide programs have received grants to help them deal with the ever-changing critical issues facing the community. The Foundation conducts annual Community Needs Assessments to direct grant funds where they are most needed and will make the largest impact.

Tustin Community Support Grant

The Tustin Community Support Grant is administered by the Tustin Community Foundation (“TCF”) in partnership with the City of Tustin.

The purpose of the Tustin Community Support Grant is to support nonprofit organizations and accredited public or private schools that provide programs and services benefiting residents of the greater Tustin area. The program seeks to enhance the quality of life in the Tustin community by funding initiatives that address specific community needs and foster community enrichment.

Use of Grant Funds

Grant funds may be used to support current or planned projects, including the purchase of equipment, supplies, materials, or clearly defined services that advance the applicant organization’s mission and programs.

Funding may be applied to programmatic needs that are identified but not yet funded at the time of application.

All expenditure must be documented with invoices, receipts, or equivalent vendor documentation to ensure transparency and accountability.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Demonstrated benefit to Tustin residents
• Evidence of past service and impact in the Tustin community
• Responsible financial management and oversight
• Ability to address social issues or provide community enrichment

Grant Categories and Funding

The Tustin Community Support Grant program allocates funding across the following categories: Business Assistance Nonprofits; Historical / Veteran Assistance Nonprofits; and Youth / Family Assistance Services & Recreation Nonprofits

Historical / Veteran Assistance Nonprofits

Total Allocated Amount: $15000

The amount listed represent the total funding available within this category, not individual grant awards.

Funds within this category may be distributed among one or more nonprofit organizations. Individual grant awards will represent a portion of the total category allocation and will be determined at the discretion of the TCF Grants Committee and Board of Directors to maximize overall community impact.

Grant recipients may receive less than the amount requested, and partial funding may be awarded.

National Main Street Center Inc.

Main Street America (MSA) leads an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts through place-based economic development and community preservation. We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Main Street America was founded in 1980 as the National Main Street Center®, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Over the past 40 years the MSA network has helped to generate over $115.27 billion in local reinvestment, rehab 345,801 buildings, create 815,894 new jobs, and start 181,647 new businesses in over 2,000 communities. 

Great American Main Street Awards

Main Street America celebrates communities whose successes serve as a model for comprehensive, preservation-based revitalization efforts in their historic downtowns and commercial corridor districts with the Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA).

Winners represent the diversity of communities in the Main Street America network — small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts from every region in the country — and demonstrate the power of the Main Street Approach™. Since the inception of the Great American Main Street Awards in 1995, 118 Main Street programs have been honored.

Selection Criteria: Semifinalists and winners are selected from a nationwide pool of applicants by a jury of Main Street professionals and leaders in the fields of community and economic development and historic preservation. Criteria for winning GAMSA include: strength of the Main Street program in spurring community transformation, commitment to historic preservation, innovative programming, implementation of cross-sector partnerships, community outreach and stakeholder engagement, and ensuring their downtown districts are for everyone. 

Accolades & Ceremony: Semifinalists are promoted through Main Street America’s digital channels and receive media relations support. Winners also receive a short documentary film, a plaque, communications and media relations support, prominent placement on the Main Street America website for two years, and recognition at the 2027 Main Street Now Conference in Detroit, Michigan.

Background

The San Diego River Conservancy (“Conservancy”) is a state agency, established in 2002, to work within the San Diego River watershed to implement multi-benefit projects that protect and enhance the San Diego River and its connected resources (Public Resources Code, Division 22.9). The San Diego River Conservancy Act authorizes the Conservancy to undertake projects and award grants to achieve the goals set forth in Division 22.9.

The Conservancy works along the entire length of the San Diego River, from its mouth in the City of San Diego at Ocean Beach to its headwaters in the mountains near Julian. The Conservancy’s jurisdiction also includes all of the contributing area to the San Diego River watershed including streams and tributaries, an estuary, wetlands, reservoirs, uplands, meadows and forests.

The Conservancy’s Grant Program seeks to support multi-benefit projects that advance a number of goals, including but not limited to:

• Conserving land
• Protecting resources
• Reducing flood and fire risk
• Improving water quality
• Protecting and enhancing wildlife habitats and corridors
• Completing the San Diego River Trail
• Providing public access for the enjoyment of the San Diego River Park and open space, trails, campgrounds and park facilities
• Removing invasive plant species from the watershed
• Increasing native habitat and promoting the re-establishment of native species
• Promoting cultural and tribal preservation, and historical interpretation of the San Diego River and its people

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.

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.

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 Farrington Historical Foundation Grants support 501(c)(3) organizations in Santa Clara County, California, focusing on arts, animal protection, environmental conservation, and historic preservation. Annually, the foundation allocates a portion of its investable assets to community grants. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt organizations, while ineligible supports include political campaigns, religious activities, and grants to individuals. Organizations with delinquent reports or consecutive cycle awards will not be considered.