Best Grants for Historic Preservation in Florida

Florida organizations undertaking historic preservation, archaeological research, museum exhibits, or acquisition of historic properties can receive up to US $500,000 in competitive state funding for major projects. The Florida Department of State Division of Historical Resources supports development, research, and museum exhibit work that preserves and promotes knowledge of Florida’s history.

Florida historic preservation organizations and agencies can apply for Florida Department of State Division of Historical Resources small matching grants, awarding up to US $50,000 for survey, planning, National Register nomination, heritage education, and select historical marker projects. Funding supports preserving significant historic and archaeological resources and promoting appreciation of Florida history.

Public charities focused on historic preservation and Southern history in Florida and the broader Southeast can seek operating, program, research, or publication support to advance their work. Watson Brown Foundation offers grants, often backing museums, archives, colleges, and other institutions that preserve and interpret the culture and history of the South.

Historic preservation nonprofits in Florida and other eastern states can seek funding for preservation projects, education, and related community programs. FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust supports 501(c)(3) organizations focused on historic sites, culture, and heritage within the U.S., with an online registration and three-step application process during designated four-month cycles.

Accredited charities running humanitarian, educational, environmental, or arts and culture projects, including historic preservation work in Florida, can seek philanthropic support through Roche. Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy prioritizes innovative, sustainable initiatives that engage its expertise and employees, are managed locally by Roche affiliates, and operate within the same country as the affiliate office.

The Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation, established in 1994, supports public agencies and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to preserve historic environments. With grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000, this highly competitive funding opportunity aims to foster appreciation for cultural heritage and enhance community livability. Eligible activities include planning, education, and preservation projects. Applicants must match the grant dollar-for-dollar and adhere to specific guidelines to ensure the success of their initiatives.

Historic preservation, environmental, and animal welfare nonprofits in Florida’s Indian River County can receive up to US $100,000 for proven programs or capital projects. Indian River Community Foundation supports 501(c)(3) public charities with Platinum GuideStar profiles through discretionary grants, beginning with a Letter of Idea and quarterly board review.

Florida public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits preserving modern buildings by Black architects can seek US $150,000 for planning-focused historic preservation projects. Focused on conserving Black modernist architecture, the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports research, conservation plans, feasibility studies, limited capital improvements, and related technical work for significant 20th-century sites at least 50 years old.

Historic preservation professionals and related design experts in Florida can seek up to US $15,000 for research or proposals on preservation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of the built environment. James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation’s Robert Silman Award supports innovative, U.S.-focused projects that advance preservation practice and can be shared with the wider preservation community.

Historic preservation organizations 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, including in Florida. The Moe Family Fund from the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports innovative, catalytic efforts that strengthen preservation partners and can be replicated by others.

Florida historic preservation groups, public agencies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits stewarding historic Black churches can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation to preserve and sustain these sites. Grants of US $50,000 - US $500,000 support capital projects, planning, staffing, financial sustainability, and cultural programming for historic Black houses of worship nationwide.

Owners of not-for-profit local Landmarks needing exterior preservation or restoration in unincorporated Hillsborough County, Florida can receive matching funds for projects like foundations, siding, roofs, windows, and structural work. Hillsborough County Florida supports historic preservation in Florida by funding qualified projects that meet the Secretary of Interior’s Standards, with awards from US $1,050 - US $17,500.

Nonprofit organizations, private entities, and commercial property owners in Hillsborough County, Florida can receive reimbursement funding for historic preservation construction and heritage tourism projects. Hillsborough County provides up to US $250,000 on a 1:1 match basis for rehabilitation, restoration, compatible additions, site improvements, and architectural heritage tourism initiatives that support local historic resources.

Historic preservation nonprofits in Florida can seek project grants supporting arts, culture, and history initiatives in the Panhandle. Grants from Impact100 Gulf Coast help organizations in Bay, Gulf, Calhoun, Jackson, Washington, and Holmes Counties launch or expand programs that preserve historic character, enhance community well-being, or improve education and family services, with awards of US $100,000.

501(c)(3) nonprofits serving southern Palm Beach County residents can apply for Impact 100 Palm Beach County’s US $100,000 grants to deliver high-impact projects, including historic preservation initiatives. Eligible programs must be completed within 24 months and can be new, expanded, or collaborative efforts with clear, measurable community outcomes.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving veterans with projects in arts, culture, historic character, or related areas in Florida and across the U.S. can seek up to US $100,000 for new or expanding programs. With a mission to empower women philanthropists, Impact100 Global Veterans provides large, transformative grants for veteran-focused initiatives in defined focus areas.

Florida 501(c)(3) organizations focused on historic preservation of farms, barns, equipment, or natural resources can access funding through the Mishler Brown Fund. Administered by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, this grant supports agriculture and preservation projects nationwide, so Florida historic preservation nonprofits may be eligible to apply during the annual fall cycle.

Historic preservation and cultural organizations in Florida can seek funding for educational, historical, and preservation programs that improve quality of life. Focused on societal betterment, Valley Foundation invites 501(c)(3) groups, primarily serving Santa Clara County residents and communities and beyond, whose work includes protecting historic sites, buildings, and related educational initiatives.

Focused on historic preservation and related cultural activities, charitable organizations and local governments in the Siletz Tribe’s Oregon service area, plus Native American organizations across the U.S., can apply for funding. Projects may include preservation of historic sites, cultural heritage, arts, environment, and other eligible charitable purposes that may benefit Florida-based Native American organizations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on historic preservation and related community programs in Florida can seek project, operating, or endowment support, typically under $15,000. Alvah H and Wyline P Chapman Foundation supports innovative efforts in conservation, historic preservation, education, and community services, with preference for areas where its directors and members live and are engaged.

Florida businesses planning significant exterior or interior renovations, including work on historic buildings, can access funding through the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department’s Business Improvement Grant Program. Administered by the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area, this matching program offers tiered support up to US $150,000 for eligible improvements, including historic preservation projects in Alachua County.

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, 2024. 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 Ryman Hospitality Properties Foundation Grant supports organizations that focus on the arts, education, and youth enrichment in communities impacted by Ryman's assets. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt under IRS guidelines and align with the foundation's focus areas. The foundation aims to enhance cultural education and provide opportunities for disadvantaged children through various programs, ensuring compliance with federal and local laws.

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.

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.