Best Grants for Historic Buildings in Idaho

Local governments in Idaho undertaking historic preservation projects can apply for Idaho State Historical Society’s Certified Local Government Grants, awarding more than US $100,000 for eligible initiatives. Funding can support surveys, National Register of Historic Places nominations, preservation planning resources, and select bricks-and-mortar work on historic properties and districts.

Historical and cultural organizations in Idaho can receive support for projects that preserve and interpret community history, including collections management, educational programming, public access, interpretive enhancements, and heritage tourism. Idaho State Historical Society awards US $500 - US $2,500 annually, which may benefit groups working with historic buildings and other heritage sites.

Idaho historic preservation and cultural heritage organizations can access funding through the William G Pomeroy Foundation to install Legends & Lore markers celebrating local folktales, legends, and folklife. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, nonprofit academic institutions, and government entities in participating states, supporting projects that promote cultural tourism and community storytelling traditions.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofits in Idaho 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 that introduces new audiences to preservation.

Idaho public agencies and nonprofit organizations preserving historic buildings and artifacts can access funding through the Idaho Heritage Trust, with awards from US $5,000 - US $15,000. Grants support brick-and-mortar stabilization, preservation of historic character and materials, architectural or engineering plans, and conservation of historic collections across Idaho, especially where other funding is limited.

The Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund, supported by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, aims to enhance the capabilities of preservation organizations through mentoring and organizational development. Grants cover travel and mentor honoraria, fostering collaboration and peer-to-peer learning. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis, prioritizing those who previously applied but did not receive funding. Eligible applicants include Forum members and nonprofit organizations, with a focus on innovative ideas for mentorship opportunities.

North American not-for-profit organizations responsible for cultural property, including historic buildings and sites in Idaho, can apply for the Ross Merrill Award from the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation; awards recognition for exemplary, long-term collections preservation and care. Eligible institutions must demonstrate strong conservation planning, professional involvement, community impact, and outreach efforts.

Idaho congregations stewarding historic houses of worship can access funding for major preservation and capital projects through the National Fund for Sacred Places, offering US $50,000 - US $500,000 in matching grants plus technical support. Community-serving, historically or architecturally significant sites, including those tied to underrepresented communities, may be especially competitive.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Idaho 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 invites applicants to request US $2,500 - US $15,000 for consultant fees, studies, community forums, and outreach materials that advance preservation efforts.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Idaho preserving historic building interiors can apply for the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund, with awards of US $2,500 - US $15,000 for planning, education, and bricks-and-mortar interior work. Eligible projects include professional assessments, restoration plans, conservation plans, furnishings plans, workshops, and interior stabilization or rehabilitation.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Idaho seeking support for historic preservation planning, education, or restoration projects can apply for grants of US $2,500 - US $15,000; individuals and for-profits are eligible only for National Historic Landmarks. With a mission to protect historic environments, National Trust for Historic Preservation funds consulting, communications, conferences, and preservation work requiring a dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits preserving modern historic buildings in Idaho designed by Black architects can seek US $150,000 Conserving Black Modernism grants for planning and limited capital work. Focused on modern architecture, the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports research, conservation plans, feasibility studies, and stewardship of significant 20th-century sites.

Individual engineers, architects, and other preservation-related professionals in Idaho can seek funding for projects exploring preservation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of the built environment. James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation’s Robert Silman Award offers up to US $15,000 for innovative U.S.-focused work that advances historic preservation practice and can be shared with the preservation community.

Historic preservation organizations in Idaho 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 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports innovative, catalytic projects, including staff time, consultants, training, research, and outreach expenses.

Idaho entities representing historic Black churches seeking funding for preservation, planning, or programming can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preserving Black Churches Grant Program, with awards from US $50,000 - US $500,000. Eligible applicants include congregations, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and public agencies stewarding historic Black religious buildings and related sites.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving veterans with projects in art, culture, education, environment, family, health, or historic preservation can seek up to US $100,000 for new or expanding programs in the U.S., including Idaho. With a mission to empower women’s collective giving, Impact100 Global Veterans provides large, transformational project grants.

The Mishler Brown Fund Grant, managed by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, supports nonprofits dedicated to agriculture and historic preservation. Applications are accepted annually from October 1 to December 31, with funds awarded in January. Organizations must have a 501(c)(3) status but do not need to be located in Elkhart County. The fund honors Helen Mishler's legacy by preserving farming heritage, including her family's historic homestead.

The Valley Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Santa Clara County and beyond by supporting qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. Focused on educational, historical, and preservation initiatives, the Foundation provides essential funding to groups dedicated to societal improvement. By fostering partnerships with like-minded entities, The Valley Foundation strives to create lasting positive change through its grant-making efforts.

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.

Historic preservation and other 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in Idaho’s Treasure Valley can apply for Bews Foundation grants; awards More than US $10,000 for eligible projects. Funding may support preserving historic buildings and sites, as well as broader community, education, arts, health, and human services initiatives in Ada County.

Students pursuing college, undergraduate, or postgraduate studies in history, museum studies, archival management, library science, historic preservation, or related fields can apply for $1,000 from the Community Foundation of Carroll County. Focused on history and preservation disciplines, this scholarship may benefit those interested in historic buildings and cultural heritage in Idaho and beyond.

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.

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.