Best Grants for Historic Preservation in Kansas

Kansas property owners with buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the Register of Historic Kansas Places can access funding to preserve or restore historic structures. Kansas Historical Society’s Heritage Trust Fund offers US $5,000 - US $100,000 for professional fees and construction costs, including rehabilitation and repairs, with required matching funds.

Local governments, nonprofit organizations, and universities in Kansas can receive reimbursement grants covering up to 60% of costs for historic preservation planning, surveys, National Register nominations, education, and physical preservation projects. Administered by the Kansas Historical Society through the Historic Preservation Fund, this program supports tangible products that document, protect, and interpret the state’s cultural and historic resources.

Grants from Kansas Department of Commerce help Kansas historic preservation and downtown revitalization efforts by funding renovation of upper floors in commercial Main Street buildings. Local Main Street programs apply on behalf of property owners for up to US $50,000, with at least a 1:1 cash match, to create downtown housing and preserve historic elements.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofits in Kansas can apply for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Trust Preservation Funds, awarding US $2,500 - US $5,000 for planning and education projects in historic preservation. Funding can support professional consultants, staff time, community forums, outreach materials, and innovative public education efforts.

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 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 National Fund for Sacred Places Grant Program supports historic houses of worship in the U.S. through matching grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. This initiative, in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, aims to enhance community engagement and preserve culturally significant buildings. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate their historical relevance and community service, particularly those representing underrepresented groups. The program prioritizes urgent repair needs and projects that foster inclusivity and accessibility.

The Hart Family Fund for Small Towns offers grants between $2,500 and $15,000 to support preservation projects in towns with populations of 10,000 or less. These funds aim to encourage local preservation efforts, enhance public discussion, and build technical expertise among community groups. The application process is competitive, with a review period of approximately three months. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits, with a cash match required. Projects must start within six months of receiving funding.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors, established by George P. Mitchell in 1997, supports the preservation of historic interiors through grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits, while individuals may apply if their project involves a National Historic Landmark. The competitive selection process typically concludes within three months, with grant recipients required to match funds dollar-for-dollar. This initiative promotes education and planning activities crucial for maintaining historic interior integrity.

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.

The Caroline Peine Charitable Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Manhattan, Kansas, focusing on projects that benefit the KONZA Prairie and promote recreational development in Keats. The Foundation welcomes applications from local nonprofits addressing various community needs, including the arts, historical preservation, and recreational services. However, it does not fund operating costs for city facilities or religious purposes, ensuring that its support aligns with Caroline Peine's commitment to the community.

Kansas historic preservation and other community-focused 501(c)(3) organizations or governmental agencies can access funding through Scott Community Foundation for charitable projects in Scott County and nearby areas. Youth-led review panels consider proposals in historic preservation, cultural arts, education, recreation, healthcare, and related fields that align with the foundation’s mission to strengthen local communities.

Kansas historic preservation and education nonprofits and public institutions can access funding through the IBMA Foundation for bluegrass-focused arts, education, literary, or history projects. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations and qualified governmental agencies may receive US $1,000 - US $2,500 to support programs that preserve, teach, or document bluegrass music and its heritage.

Kansas public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits stewarding modern buildings designed by Black architects can seek US $150,000 for preservation planning and limited capital work. Focused on conserving Black modernist architecture, the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports research, technical studies, and management plans that enhance long-term care of significant 20th-century historic assets.

Individual engineers, architects, and related design professionals working on historic preservation proposals in Kansas and across the U.S. can seek up to US $15,000 for research or design projects. The Robert Silman Award from James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation supports innovative work on preservation, restoration, or adaptive reuse that can be shared with the preservation community.

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

Kansas 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, endowments, organizational capacity, programming and interpretation, and project planning for historic preservation and Black American cultural heritage sites.

Public agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits in Kansas communities along the Route 66 corridor can receive US $2,500 - US $10,000 to preserve and interpret historic places. The National Trust for Historic Preservation supports restoration, stabilization, acquisition, consultant services, education programs, and related project costs for Route 66–connected historic sites and stories.

Kansas municipalities and partners seeking to rehabilitate blighted downtown commercial buildings in Kansas can access funding through the Kansas Department of Commerce. This Community Development Block Grant program supports community development, historic preservation, and job creation by improving key commercial structures and strengthening downtown districts, with awards up to US $300,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving veterans with projects in art, culture, historic character, or related areas in Kansas and nationwide can apply for Impact100 Global Veterans funding. With a mission to empower women’s collective giving, Impact100 Global Veterans provides up to US $100,000 for new or expanding veteran-focused initiatives completed within two years.

Qualified 501(c)(3) organizations working on historic preservation and related services in Kansas may be eligible for grants supporting projects in areas the funder serves nationally. The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation awards US $5,000 - US $100,000 for programs such as historic preservation, environmental conservation, children’s services, elder advocacy, vision care, and drunk driving prevention.

Historic preservation-focused small, independently owned brick-and-mortar businesses in Kansas communities along the Route 66 corridor can receive US $5,000 - US $10,000 for capital, planning, or marketing projects. The National Trust for Historic Preservation supports work such as building rehabilitation, murals, business plans, and storytelling that highlight underrepresented Route 66 communities and histories.

Historic preservation and agriculture-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Kansas and across the U.S. can seek support for projects involving farms, barns, equipment, or natural resource preservation. Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Mishler Brown Fund offers annual grants sized to match project scope, and applications are accepted each year from October 1 through December 31.

Historic preservation and related cultural, educational, or community programs can seek funding to improve quality of life, including work benefiting Kansas communities. Focused on societal betterment, Valley Foundation invites 501(c)(3) organizations primarily serving Santa Clara County residents, with some support extending beyond, to propose projects in preservation, arts, education, health, or human services.

Historic preservation and related cultural organizations, local governments, and Native American groups can seek funding for preservation, cultural activities, and other charitable projects through the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Focused on education, health, public safety, the arts, environment, and historic preservation, this national program may benefit Kansas-based Native American organizations working on heritage and conservation.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on historic preservation projects in Kansas can seek funding for operating support, specific projects, or endowments. The Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation typically awards grants under $15,000 and considers innovative programs in areas where its directors and members live or have interests, including parts of Georgia.

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.