Best Grants for Historic Buildings in District of Columbia

501(c)(3) nonprofits in District of Columbia working in children’s services, education, or health and human services can apply for Costco Foundation’s charitable contributions to support monetary program needs. Organizations involved in historic properties that also deliver these community services may be eligible if they demonstrate clear community need, measurable outcomes, collaboration, and a broad base of financial support.

District of Columbia 501(c)(3) nonprofits with innovative human services or social problem–solving programs can access funding through Creag Foundation. The foundation supports smaller or evolving organizations developing new approaches to existing or previously unaddressed social issues, which may include projects that intersect with historic buildings or preservation-related community services.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children’s health, education, development, and welfare worldwide can request up to US $15,000 for youth-focused programs. With a mission to enrich children’s lives, Dan Paul Foundation provides support that may benefit District of Columbia groups, including those engaging youth around community issues like housing, poverty, and environmental responsibility.

Early-stage nonprofit and impact-first, mission-driven for-profit organizations in the District of Columbia working on scalable social or environmental solutions can apply for Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation’s support, with awards up to US $300,000. Historic preservation initiatives that benefit underserved communities and can expand impact significantly may be competitive.

Educational institutions, government programs, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and 501(c)(4) volunteer fire companies in the District of Columbia can seek funding for safety, education, and community development initiatives. State Farm Companies Foundation supports projects such as disaster preparedness, neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, and K–12 or higher education efforts that strengthen local communities.

Cultural nonprofits in the District of Columbia offering arts, science, or STEAM programming can seek more than US $100,000 to support impactful programs, capital projects, or limited general support. Focused on culture, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation favors arts education, artist development, and museum or performing arts initiatives that reach broad audiences, which may include historic buildings used as cultural institutions.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working in health, education, or community services, including those in the District of Columbia, can apply for Labcorp Charitable Foundation grants to support their programs. Funding may assist initiatives like food pantries, healthcare for underserved populations, STEM education, or community projects that intersect with historic facilities or districts.

Organizations working on education, children’s health, or family economic stability for urban low-income youth can access funding via the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Eligible entities in the U.S., India, or South Africa may request more than US $50,000 for project support or scaling, which could benefit historic-building-based community or educational programs in District of Columbia.

Accredited charities in District of Columbia seeking support for historic preservation, community development, science education, environment, or arts and culture projects may be eligible for Roche’s Corporate Donations and Philanthropy program, which operates globally. Roche prioritizes innovative, sustainable projects that engage local partners and employees and are managed within the same country as the local Roche affiliate.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in the District of Columbia seeking support for charitable, educational, scientific, or medical programs can apply for funding that must be used in the U.S. Focused on broad community benefit, the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust may support historic preservation efforts housed within eligible organizations’ wider service missions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on community development, basic needs, workforce education, or cultural programming in District of Columbia can seek sponsorship support that advances economic mobility and social progress. With a mission to strengthen low- and moderate-income communities, Bank of America Charitable Foundation provides regional U.S. sponsorships that may benefit historic districts and preservation-related community events or programs.

Focused on community and environmental initiatives, Dudley T Dougherty Foundation invites District of Columbia 501(c)(3) organizations to seek support for charitable programs. Nonprofits working on community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding that intersect with historic preservation or heritage-focused projects may be eligible for this flexible funding opportunity.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities serving District of Columbia residents can seek funding for arts and humanities, education, community services, environment, and health and wellness programs. Grants from Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation help DC organizations, including those improving historic neighborhoods and community spaces, provide comprehensive services and pursue systemic change for vulnerable and underserved residents. Awards range from US $10,000 - US $250,000.

Nonprofit organizations in the District of Columbia can seek US $1,000 - US $20,000 to support community-based programs, facilities, and services. Grants from Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation help museums, cultural institutions, and other nonprofits that may include historic buildings fund arts, education, health, environmental, and social service initiatives across the U.S.

District of Columbia 501(c)(3) nonprofits with $300,000–$5 million in annual revenue can access funding through Impact100 DC for $100,000 projects serving the DC metro area. Eligible organizations address unmet needs through arts and culture, education, environment and recreation, family support, or health and wellness, including work that may involve preserving or activating historic community spaces.

The Cowles Charitable Trust Grant supports initiatives aligned with the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. Focused on education, social justice, health, and the arts, it favors organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) by the IRS. The Trust encourages applications for general operating support and seeks partnerships rather than being the sole funder. Notably, it considers applications from established partners and supports efforts in Downstate New York and South Florida, with a preference for diverse funding sources.

501(c)(3) organizations can seek project funding for education, social services, health care, civic and cultural, environmental, or community heritage work in the District of Columbia and beyond. Dr Scholl Foundation provides U.S.-focused grants of US $5,000 - US $25,000, which may benefit nonprofits undertaking historic preservation or related civic initiatives.

U.S.-based project teams focused on climate adaptation and resilience for communities under 300,000 residents, including historically disinvested areas, can apply for US $75,000 - US $115,000 to advance local climate resilience projects. With a mission to strengthen climate change resilience, Climate Resilience Fund supports partnerships among adaptation practitioners, community-based organizations, and local or regional governments, which may benefit District of Columbia historic preservation efforts facing climate hazards.

The Hansen Family Foundation Grant seeks to empower organizations that uphold the American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Focused on diverse causes like children, education, animals, environmental conservation, humanitarian efforts, and arts, the foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that create positive change. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while political campaigns and organizations with high budgets or overheads are ineligible. This grant fosters impactful contributions to society.

Historic preservation and wildlife conservation nonprofits in the District of Columbia can access storytelling support to showcase their impact through this grant, with awards of more than US $50,000. Grants from Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation help 501(c)(3) and aligned for-profit organizations share transformational work across preservation, education, and wellness programs.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving economic stability, workforce development, health and social services, or disaster relief can apply for O'Reilly Automotive Foundation funding to support community-focused programs and operations. Organizations in the District of Columbia working on community-serving historic buildings may be eligible if their projects advance quality of life for underserved or underrepresented residents.

District of Columbia nonprofits working on youth development, housing, food security, or environmental stewardship can access funding through Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards. Eligible 501(c)()(3)-equivalent organizations in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, or Singapore may receive US $30,000 - US $350,000 for programs that support underserved young people and their families, which may include community facility or site improvements.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving the District of Columbia and other Southern-region communities can seek funding for programs in areas like poverty relief, education, health, disaster response, families, and veterans. Grants from Robinson Foundation help established organizations (3+ years) deliver single-year projects with tangible, meaningful impact; capital projects are not supported.

Nonprofit organizations in the District of Columbia with strong, replicable community partnerships may be eligible for national recognition and support through the Community Partnership Award. With a mission to strengthen communities, Mutual of America Foundation honors U.S. nonprofits that collaborate with public, private, or social sector partners to address significant social issues.

Historic preservation and community nonprofits in District of Columbia exploring people-first uses of AI to improve services, information access, or community voice can apply; funding is for U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities with primarily U.S. operations and small to mid-sized budgets. The Openai People-First AI Fund supports community services, arts and culture, and local journalism projects engaging thoughtfully with AI.