Best Preservation Grants in Louisiana

Louisiana organizations undertaking historic preservation projects can apply for competitive, reimbursable grants supporting work aligned with the Louisiana Comprehensive Plan. Focused on historic preservation, the Louisiana Department of Cultural Development offers National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund awards of US $3,000 - US $80,000 for projects carried out between October 1, 2026, and September 15, 2027.

Louisiana historic preservation and cultural heritage organizations can access funding through William G Pomeroy Foundation to install Legends & Lore markers celebrating local folktales, legends, and folklife traditions. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, nonprofit academic institutions, and government entities in Louisiana interested in promoting community stories and cultural tourism through interpretive signage.

Community organizations, educators, researchers, and individuals in Louisiana can receive funding to preserve and promote Cajun and Creole French language use in public life, arts, and education. Community Foundation of Acadiana provides up to US $2,000 for projects that incorporate French and benefit the state’s francophone community, supporting cultural and historic preservation efforts.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Louisiana planning historic preservation projects or education efforts can apply for National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Trust Preservation Funds, awarding US $2,500 - US $5,000 for planning, capacity building, and outreach. Eligible applicants must provide a one-to-one match and meet specified membership requirements.

Public charities focused on historic preservation and Southern history in the Southeast, including Louisiana, can seek funding for operating, program, research, or publication support. Watson Brown Foundation awards about US $33,000 for projects such as museum and archive support, preservation initiatives, educational programming, and related work in history, literature, law, and agricultural education.

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 J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

Louisiana historic preservation organizations and related 501(c)(3) nonprofits can seek funding for community preservation, education, and values-based programs. Louisiana preservation groups can access funding through Alma Gibbs Donchian, which primarily supports Vermont but considers projects nationwide, offering up to US $10,000 for initiatives such as historic preservation and community-focused programming.

Historic preservation nonprofits and public agencies in Louisiana that are Organizational Level Forum or Main Street America members can apply for the Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Grants up to US $2,500 reimburse travel and mentor honoraria for peer mentoring on fundraising, real estate, advocacy, board development, or organizational management.

North American not-for-profit organizations responsible for cultural property, including those in Louisiana, can be nominated for the Ross Merrill Award, honoring exemplary collections preservation and care. Offered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, this non-monetary award recognizes sustained conservation planning, professional stewardship, community impact, and public outreach around historic and cultural collections.

Louisiana congregations stewarding historic houses of worship can access funding through Partners for Sacred Places to undertake major preservation and capital projects. The National Fund for Sacred Places offers US $50,000 - US $500,000 matching grants plus training, technical assistance, and planning support for community-serving, historically significant sacred sites across the U.S.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Louisiana 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 build preservation capacity.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Louisiana preserving historic interiors can apply for the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund, with awards of US $2,500 - US $15,000 for planning, education, and interior restoration projects. Eligible National Historic Landmark projects by individuals or for-profits may also qualify, with a required dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Louisiana seeking funding for historic preservation planning, education, or restoration projects can apply for the Johanna Favrot Fund, with awards of US $2,500 - US $15,000. With a mission to preserve historic environments, the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports projects that foster appreciation of cultural heritage and community livability.

Historic preservation and related nonprofits in Louisiana’s 12-parish central region can apply for small project grants from the Central Louisiana Community Foundation, with awards of US $250 - US $2,000. Grants from Central Louisiana Community Foundation help organizations address quarterly priorities such as historic preservation, literacy, arts and culture, environmental preservation, and community development within the service area.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Louisiana preserving modern buildings designed by Black architects can seek US $150,000 project planning and limited capital support via the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Conserving Black Modernism program. Funding emphasizes research, conservation planning, and technical studies for significant 20th-century sites such as campuses, cultural centers, libraries, or residences.

Engineers, architects, and other U.S.-based preservation professionals exploring preservation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of the built environment can receive up to US $15,000 for original proposals. The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation’s Robert Silman Award supports innovative projects that advance historic preservation practice and can be shared with the preservation community, which may benefit practitioners working in Louisiana.

Historic preservation nonprofits in Louisiana that are dues-paying members of the National Preservation Partners Network can seek up to US $10,000 for advocacy, capacity building, or climate-related projects. The Moe Family Fund for Statewide and Local Partners from the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports innovative, catalytic initiatives that strengthen preservation organizations and their impact.

Louisiana entities stewarding historic Black churches can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation to support capital preservation, planning, programming, and organizational capacity. Grants from the Preserving Black Churches program range from US $50,000 - US $500,000 and may benefit congregations, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and public agencies focused on historic preservation and Black cultural heritage.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving veterans with preservation, cultural, educational, environmental, family, or health initiatives in Louisiana can seek funding to expand or launch programs. With a mission to empower women’s collective giving, Impact100 Global Veterans provides up to US $100,000 for veteran-focused projects that fit one of its defined focus areas and expend funds within two years.

501(c)(3) nonprofits working on farming, agriculture, farm and barn preservation, or natural resource conservation in Louisiana can apply for flexible project funding through the Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Mishler Brown Fund. Grants support organizations whose missions include historic preservation of farms and related heritage; awards are made annually after the year-end application window.

Historic preservation and related cultural nonprofits can seek funding for educational, historical, and preservation programs through Valley Foundation; support is available nationally, including Louisiana. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) charities working to improve quality of life, with a preference for efforts benefiting communities such as those in Santa Clara County and beyond.

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, 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.