Best Grants for Historic Preservation in New Mexico

New Mexico public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofit organizations preserving historic and cultural sites can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Southwest Intervention Fund; awards US $2,500 - US $10,000 for planning, capacity building, and urgent interventions. Eligible projects include archaeological surveys, workshops, legal resources, and stabilization of threatened historic places.

Native majority-led 501(c)(3) organizations, tribal governments with IRS 7871 status, and fiscally sponsored groups within Colorado Plateau tribal nations in New Mexico can apply for Colorado Plateau Foundation’s capacity-building grants, awarding US $1,000 - US $25,000 to strengthen organizational sustainability. Funding supports water protection, sacred places and landscapes, language preservation, and sustainable community-based agriculture, which may benefit historic preservation efforts.

Native-led 501(c)(3) organizations and tribal governments on the Colorado Plateau in New Mexico can access rapid response funding for urgent needs in water protection, sacred sites, Native languages, and sustainable agriculture. Grants from Colorado Plateau Foundation help historic preservation and cultural heritage projects address time-sensitive opportunities or challenges with awards up to US $10,000, outside the annual cycle.

Focused on historic preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation invites New Mexico public agencies and nonprofit organizations in towns under 10,000 people to seek seed funding for planning and education projects. Eligible efforts include hiring preservation consultants, developing design guidelines, feasibility studies, and public outreach, with awards ranging from US $2,500 - US $15,000.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in New Mexico 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. Individuals and for-profit businesses may be eligible when working with National Historic Landmarks, supporting historic preservation efforts statewide.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations planning or carrying out historic preservation projects in New Mexico can apply for the Johanna Favrot Fund, which offers US $2,500 - US $15,000 for planning, education, and bricks-and-mortar work. With a mission to foster appreciation of cultural heritage, the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports consultant services, communications, workshops, and restoration activities.

Nonprofit organizations and educational institutions working on historic preservation and related community needs in New Mexico can seek flexible program or project support through rolling Need to Know Grants, typically US $5,000 - US $10,000. Albuquerque Community Foundation funds work serving Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia counties across multiple fields, including historic preservation.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in New Mexico preserving modern buildings by Black architects can seek US $150,000 for planning-focused historic preservation projects. Focused on conserving Black modernist architecture, the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports research, planning, limited capital improvements, and technical studies for 20th-century sites stewarded for public benefit.

Individual engineers, architects, and other preservation-related professionals can seek up to US $15,000 for original proposals in preservation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of the built environment in the U.S. from the James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation. New Mexico historic preservation practitioners may be eligible if their projects advance preservation practice and share results with the field.

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

Historic Black churches and related 501(c)(3) or public agencies in New Mexico can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation for preservation and stewardship projects. Grants of US $50,000 - US $500,000 support capital repairs, planning, staff capacity, endowments, and cultural programming through the Preserving Black Churches Grant Program, part of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.

Public agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits preserving historic places along New Mexico’s Route 66 corridor can receive US $2,500 - US $10,000 for bricks-and-mortar work, planning, education, and related costs. The National Trust for Historic Preservation prioritizes projects that highlight underrepresented communities and can support both new initiatives and ongoing preservation efforts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving veterans with historic preservation, arts, education, environment, family, or health initiatives in New Mexico and across the U.S. can seek funding for projects. 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.

Historic preservation-focused small, independently owned legacy businesses along New Mexico’s Route 66 corridor can receive US $5,000 - US $10,000 for capital improvements, planning, and marketing projects that preserve historic places and stories. The National Trust for Historic Preservation prioritizes projects highlighting underrepresented communities and preparing for the 2026 Route 66 Centennial, including painting and mural initiatives.

Historic preservation and agriculture-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in New Mexico and nationwide can seek support for projects involving farms, barns, equipment, or natural resource preservation. The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Mishler Brown Fund provides annual grants to nonprofits whose missions center on farming, agriculture, and preservation-related work.

Historic preservation and related cultural or educational nonprofits in New Mexico may be eligible for support to improve quality of life through preservation, educational, or historical programs. Focused on societal betterment, Valley Foundation funds qualified 501(c)(3) organizations primarily serving Santa Clara County communities and beyond, which can include work in New Mexico.

Historic preservation and related cultural organizations, especially Native American groups, can apply for funding that supports preservation, education, health, housing, public safety, arts, environment, and other charitable purposes. Focused on charitable community impact, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians invites eligible U.S.-based Native American organizations, including those in New Mexico, to seek support for historic and cultural projects.

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.

Competitive Community Grant- Arts & Culture ( Fall cycle)

Result: Arts and Culture is celebrated and reflected in the community.

We will work to improve the following outcomes in our communities:

• Sense of community – residents feeling connected to the community and each other
• Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds
• Diverse participation in art and cultural community programs and events
• Preservation and strengthening of cultural and historical heritage, traditions, and a creative economy

Through direct service, policy advocacy and/or collaboration efforts, priority strategies will address: 

• Lifting up and preserving cultural and historical heritage, tradition, and assets of the region;
• Using art as a bridge to communicate across cultures and languages and build transformational relationships to advance equity;
• Using art, culture, language, and community stories to shift narratives, shape public conversations, and influence policy;
• Improving access to arts and cultural programs to benefit youth and families who otherwise would not have the opportunities; and/or
• Systems change including public policy, civic engagement, community organizing or public information to preserve and strengthen the arts and cultural segment of the creative economy locally.

Grant Size

We offer $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 general operating support depending on your annual budget:

• Organizations with an annual budget up to $50,000 may apply for a $5,000 grant;
• Organizations with an annual budget between $50,001 - $150,000 may apply for a $10,000 grant;
• Organizations with an annual budget between $150,001 - $500,000 may apply for a $15,000 grant; and
• Organizations with an annual budget of $500,001 or more may apply for a $20,000 grant.

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.

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.

The Competitive Community Grants - Fall Cycle by the Santa Fe Community Foundation offers funding opportunities for nonprofits in Santa Fe, Mora, Rio Arriba, and San Miguel counties. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 based on the organization's annual budget, supporting diverse areas such as arts, education, and animal welfare. Eligible organizations must be at least three years old, tax-exempt, and serve local communities without discrimination. This program aims to enhance community welfare through impactful projects.