Best Grants for Historic Preservation in Georgia

Georgia historic preservation nonprofits and cultural institutions can access funding through the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation for capital projects and initiatives at well-established organizations. Support focuses on museums, historic sites, and arts and culture institutions with strong leadership and broad community backing, primarily in metro Atlanta and other Georgia cities promoting community development.

Georgia Heritage Grant Program

During the 1994 Legislative Session, the Georgia General Assembly initiated appropriations for grant funding for the preservation of historic properties in Georgia. The Program offers matching funds on a statewide competitive basis to local governments and nonprofit organizations for the preservation of Georgia Register-eligible historic properties. Currently, this grant program is funded solely from preservation license plate sales revenue.

Eligible projects include both development and predevelopment projects. Development projects may include bricks and mortar activities, such as roof, window and foundation repair, or brick repointing. Predevelopment projects may include construction documents, feasibility studies, historic structure reports, or preservation plans.

Since SFY 2009 the program has been solely funded through revenue provided by the historic preservation license plate. $22 out of each $35 paid for the license plates goes directly into the Georgia Heritage grant program. Over 10,000 plates have been purchased or renewed. The total amount of license plate funds awarded from 2009 to 2020 was $256,539, benefiting a total of 20 projects. 

Average grant awardsfrom the HPF grant program range from $10,000 to $20,000. The award range is $1,000 to $25,000. Matching share should be a minimum of 40% of the total project cost. The grant funds must be matched by local, non-federal funds. The match must be cash, and the applicant is encouraged to provide as much cash match as possible.

Local governments in Georgia can seek US $10,000 - US $20,000 to support historic preservation activities, including surveys, National Register nominations, planning, and design guidelines. Grants from Georgia Department of Community Affairs help Georgia historic preservation efforts with reports, assessments, preservation plans, and architectural drawings that strengthen local and Certified Local Government programs.

Nonprofit and governmental organizations in Georgia seeking funds for capital improvements to historic sites can apply for the Georgia Trust Callahan Incentive Grant. Georgia Department of Community Affairs offers 1:1 matching grants up to US $5,000 for National Register-listed or eligible properties, supporting impactful rehabilitation or restoration with strong community backing and sustainable long-term use.

Public charities in the Southeast, including Georgia, that advance southern history, culture, and historic preservation can seek operating, program, research, or publication support. Watson Brown Foundation provides grants, often for museum and archive projects, preservation efforts, and educational programming, with some awards such as Junior Board chapter grants at US $33,000 annually.

Nonprofit organizations in Georgia working on community wellness, economic empowerment, community arts, education, housing security, or historic sites and museums can apply for Cousins Foundation support. Funding is available for general operations, programs, and capital projects, with priority for Metro Atlanta communities; historic preservation projects that fit these priorities may be eligible.

Public agencies and nonprofits in Georgia planning or implementing historic preservation projects can seek US $2,500 - US $15,000 to support planning, education, and bricks-and-mortar work. With a mission to foster appreciation of cultural heritage, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps fund consultants, communications, workshops, and restoration or rehabilitation of historic sites and landscapes.

Historic preservation nonprofits and public agencies in Georgia can seek US $150,000 project planning grants to conserve modern buildings designed by Black architects. Focused on modern architectural heritage, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Conserving Black Modernism program funds planning, limited capital improvements, and technical studies for significant 20th-century sites serving the public.

Historic preservation professionals and related design practitioners in Georgia can seek up to US $15,000 for research or proposals on preservation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of the built environment in the U.S. Grants from James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation support innovative, original work that can be shared with the preservation community and benefit underrepresented communities.

Historic preservation organizations in Georgia that are dues-paying members of the National Preservation Partners Network can seek up to US $10,000 to strengthen advocacy, capacity building, or climate-related preservation work. The Moe Family Fund for Statewide and Local Partners from the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports innovative, catalytic projects and requires a one-to-one match for eligible project expenses.

Georgia entities stewarding historic Black churches can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preserving Black Churches Grant Program to support capital projects, planning, programming, and organizational capacity. Eligible applicants include historic Black congregations, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and public agencies across the U.S., with awards ranging from US $50,000 to US $500,000.

Georgia 501(c)(3) organizations undertaking arts, culture, and historic preservation projects in Macon and Bibb County can apply for funding to create measurable, lasting community impact. The Peyton Anderson Foundation supports sustainable preservation, artistic and historic development, and innovative, collaborative projects that strengthen Macon-Bibb’s cultural identity and economic vitality.

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

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on farming, agriculture, historic preservation of farms and barns, or natural resource conservation can apply for flexible project funding through the Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Mishler Brown Fund. Georgia organizations preserving historic farm sites or rural landscapes may be especially well positioned for support.

Historic preservation and related cultural or educational nonprofits in Georgia may be eligible for funding that improves quality of life and supports preservation efforts. Focused on educational, historical, and preservation programs, the Valley Foundation invites 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily serving communities in Santa Clara County and beyond, to apply for support that strengthens society and local heritage.

Historic preservation and related cultural organizations, local governments, and Native American groups can seek funding for preservation, cultural activities, and other charitable projects, including those in Georgia. Focused on education, health, public safety, addiction treatment, housing, the arts, the environment, and historic preservation, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians invites eligible U.S. Native American organizations to apply.

Historic preservation and conservation nonprofits in Georgia can seek funding for projects that protect significant buildings and enhance natural landscapes. The Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations with successful, innovative programs in natural and historical conservation, primarily where its directors and members live or have community involvement, with awards rarely exceeding $15,000.00.

Qualified 501(c)(3) organizations working on historic preservation and related community services, including those in Georgia, can seek project funding from the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation; awards range from US $5,000 - US $100,000. The foundation primarily supports Utah-based work but may fund U.S. nonprofits preserving historic buildings and sites alongside its other charitable priorities.

Nonprofits and churches undertaking capital projects in LaGrange and Troup County, Georgia can access funding through Fuller E Callaway Foundation for charitable, religious, and educational facilities. Grants typically support one-time construction, major renovations, land acquisition, and community development, which may benefit historic preservation projects that involve enduring building improvements or cultural institutions.

Georgia historic preservation and cultural organizations can access funding through IBMA Foundation for bluegrass-related arts, education, literary, or history projects. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools or colleges may receive US $1,000 - US $2,500 to support programs that preserve, teach, or document bluegrass heritage and history.

Historic preservation organizations in Georgia seeking support for Confederate and Southern heritage projects can apply for funding to preserve or restore artifacts, monuments, cemeteries, battlefields, and related sites. Focused on heritage preservation, Order of the Southern Cross invites applicants that typically have at least half of project funds secured to request assistance completing their work.

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.

The FY 2027 – 2029 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) by the National Marine Fisheries Service invites innovative research and educational projects that enhance NOAA's mission. This funding opportunity focuses on applied environmental and cultural resource research, technical assistance, and education to promote effective stewardship of public lands. Please note that the availability of funds is contingent on appropriations, and this announcement does not guarantee project funding or review beyond initial administrative checks.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is inviting applications for the Public Humanities Projects program, aimed at enhancing public understanding of the humanities through exhibitions, historic site interpretations, and public lectures. For 2027, topics of interest include Western civilization, literature, the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, civic education, and cultural literacy. This initiative seeks to foster civil discourse and engage communities in meaningful discussions.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The Hazel Herring Civic Improvement Grant, established by the Woman's National Farm and Garden Association, supports projects aimed at enhancing community spaces. Eligible initiatives include community gardens, playgrounds, and beautification efforts. This grant allows members to fund new phases of ongoing projects, fostering civic engagement and improving public areas. Since its inception, the grant has evolved from an award to a funding opportunity for branches and divisions, ensuring a lasting impact on local communities.