Best Preservation Grants in Mississippi

Academic researchers and graduate students conducting non-commercial geography education research in Mississippi can apply for National Geographic Society awards of US $5,000 - US $10,000 to support projects in the 2026-2027 academic year. Grants from National Geographic Society help Mississippi scholars study educational approaches, tools, and outcomes, which may include work connected to historic preservation and community heritage.

Public charities in the Southeast focused on southern history, culture, and historic preservation can receive support for operating, research, program, and publication needs from Watson Brown Foundation; awards are typically US $33,000. Mississippi preservation organizations, including colleges, universities, museums, archives, and scholarly societies, may be eligible if they advance knowledge of the region.

The Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation provides grants primarily to support institutions in Vermont, focusing on issues such as elderly welfare, educational assistance for learning disabilities, and community preservation. Emphasizing partnerships and innovative program models, the Foundation prefers applicants with a strong financial management background. Grants typically range from a few thousand dollars to $20,000, with larger amounts considered for significant impact projects. Eligibility is limited to tax-exempt organizations.

Historic preservation nonprofits and public agencies in Mississippi that are Organizational Level Forum or Main Street America members can apply for National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund, offering up to US $2,500 for mentoring-related travel and mentor honoraria. Funding supports board and staff leadership development, fundraising, advocacy, real estate, and other preservation-focused organizational capacity building.

North American not-for-profit organizations responsible for cultural property, including Mississippi institutions, can be nominated for the Ross Merrill Award honoring outstanding preservation and care of collections. This recognition from the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation celebrates exemplary, long-term conservation planning, community impact, and outreach, and may benefit historic preservation and museum programs even though it carries no monetary component.

Mississippi congregations with historic, community-serving 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. Eligible projects address urgent repairs, building envelope preservation, accessibility improvements, or renovating underused space while respecting historic character.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations planning historic preservation projects in small Mississippi towns (population 10,000 or less) can seek US $2,500 - US $15,000 for planning and education efforts. Focused on preservation, National Trust for Historic Preservation invites applicants needing consultant fees, educational programming, or outreach materials to support local preservation initiatives with a required dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Mississippi 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 projects include professional consulting, interior restoration plans, conservation plans, furnishings plans, workshops, and bricks-and-mortar interior work, with a required dollar-for-dollar cash match.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Mississippi seeking funding for historic preservation planning, education, or bricks-and-mortar projects can apply for the Johanna Favrot Fund, with awards of US $2,500 - US $15,000. With a mission to preserve historic environments, National Trust for Historic Preservation supports consultant services, preservation programs, and restoration of historic sites and landscapes.

Historic preservation nonprofits and public agencies in Mississippi stewarding modern buildings by Black architects can seek US $150,000 planning-focused grants from the Conserving Black Modernism program. Focused on historic preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports research, planning, limited capital improvements, and technical studies to guide long-term conservation and management of these 20th-century sites.

Engineers, architects, and other U.S.-based preservation professionals exploring preservation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of the built environment can seek up to US $15,000 for original project or research proposals, including work in Mississippi. The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation’s Robert Silman Award supports innovative studies that advance historic preservation practice and share results with the preservation community.

Historic preservation organizations in Mississippi that are dues-paying members of the National Preservation Partners Network can seek up to US $10,000 to advance 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 work nationwide.

Mississippi entities representing historic Black churches can seek US $50,000 - US $500,000 to preserve and better steward their historic religious buildings. Eligible congregations, 501(c)(3) stewards, and public agencies may apply to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for capital projects, planning, staffing, programming, or endowment and financial sustainability needs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving veterans through historic preservation and related initiatives in Mississippi and other U.S. locations can seek funding for projects designated under Impact100 Global Veterans’ focus areas. With a mission to empower women’s collective giving, Impact100 Global Veterans provides up to US $100,000 for new or expanding veteran-focused programs completed within two years.

Community preservation and agriculture-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Mississippi can seek support for projects involving farming, agriculture, historic preservation of farms and barns, equipment, or natural resource conservation. The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Mishler Brown Fund accepts U.S. applicants annually whose project scope aligns with these priorities, often funding multiple organizations each cycle.

Historic preservation and related 501(c)(3) organizations in Mississippi and across the U.S. can seek support for educational, historical, and preservation programs that improve quality of life. Focused on societal betterment, Valley Foundation funds diverse local, regional, and national groups working to strengthen communities and cultural heritage.

Historic preservation and other charitable organizations, especially Native American groups across the U.S., can apply for funding that supports cultural activities, historic preservation, and related efforts. Focused on these areas, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians invites eligible applicants whose work may include preservation projects, even though the fund’s primary service area is in Oregon counties and Native communities nationwide.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on historic preservation and related community programs in Mississippi can seek funding for operating support, projects, or endowments. Alvah H and Wyline P Chapman Foundation supports historic conservation, education, families, homelessness services, and beautification; grants are generally under $15,000 and preference goes to areas where its directors and members are active.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on historic preservation projects, primarily in Utah but also elsewhere in the U.S., can seek support for impactful programs. The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation offers US $5,000 - US $100,000 for initiatives including historic preservation, alongside areas like children’s services, elder advocacy, environmental conservation, vision care, and drunk driving prevention.

Mississippi historic preservation and cultural organizations can access funding through the IBMA Foundation for bluegrass-focused arts, education, literary, or history projects. Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools or colleges may apply for US $1,000 - US $2,500 to support bluegrass-related preservation and educational initiatives; applications are due December 2, 2024.

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 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.

Charles Young Historic Preservation Grant

The Charles L. Young, Sr. Grant for Historic Preservation will be used to advance a sense of place (e.g., history, culture, achievement, etc.) within the Lauderdale County African-American community by supporting building renovations, capital improvements, and special projects. 

Recognized as one of Mississippi’s and the South’s most outstanding businessmen, Representative Charles L. Young, Sr. received numerous community, state, and national awards for his outstanding service in business and politics. The Lauderdale Co. Human Relations Commission chose to honor Rep. Young’s legacy by establishing this endowment to guarantee that his name, as well as his accomplishments, would be remembered in our community for generations to come.

MissionA catalyst for charitable giving where civic-minded individuals, families, and businesses achieve philanthropic goals. We bridge resources and needs to enhance the dynamic communities we serve.VisionCreating a legacy of enrichment that impacts generations to come.Core Values

• Integrity
• Stewardship 
• Community

The Grant Community Foundation of East Mississippi awards grants through several competitive application processes each year. (Cycle 1, Cycle 2, Cycle 3). You are able to apply in each grant cycle.

• Cycle 1 : Education, Arts 
• Cycle 2: Animal Welfare, Education Mini-Grants, Environment/Historic Preservation
• Cycle 3: Community, Leadership, Health and Human Services

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 Lucky's Legacy Grant, administered by the Community Foundation of East Mississippi, supports nonprofits focused on the welfare of pets in the region. With over 40 years of service, CFEM aims to connect charitable efforts with community needs. Eligible organizations include no-kill shelters and those offering spay/neuter programs for rescued animals. This grant encourages impactful initiatives that enhance the humane treatment of animals across five counties in East Mississippi, ensuring a brighter future for pets in need.

The Wold Foundation Grant, established in 1985, aims to support charitable, scientific, literary, and educational projects primarily benefiting Wyoming citizens and youth. It prioritizes initiatives in education, human services, cultural activities, healthcare, and scientific endeavors that promote conservation and outdoor recreation. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) classified and operate in the U.S. The foundation does not fund individuals or projects that discriminate based on sex, age, or religion.