Best Preservation Grants in North Dakota

State Historical Society of North Dakota

About Us

Our Mission: Empower Through History

The Society is under the supervision of the 12-member State Historical Board. The board appoints the Director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota to administer the agency and carry out policies and directives.

Historic Preservation Fund Grants

The State Historic Preservation Office of North Dakota receives federal funds annually from the Historic Preservation Fund to assist in the identification, evaluation, and preservation of cultural resources listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NPS).

As part of the annual appropriation, the Society is obligating $150,000 toward preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of projects for the National Register listed properties.

The WGPF: National Register Signage Grant Program, administered by the William G Pomeroy Foundation, aims to support public properties and historic districts in the U.S. that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By providing grants for signage, the program helps these sites commemorate their historic significance and share their achievements with the community, fostering awareness and appreciation for the nation's heritage.

North Dakota preservation and conservation-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits and aligned for-profits can seek storytelling support to showcase their impact. Through the J.W. Couch Foundation’s Storytelling Grant, organizations working in historic preservation, wildlife conservation, food and waste management, or related environmental efforts may be eligible for awards of more than US $50,000 to share their community stories.

North Dakota historic preservation nonprofits and 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through the Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation for community preservation projects and related initiatives. Grants up to US $10,000 primarily support Vermont-based work but may extend to other states, especially efforts that demonstrate strong governance, collaboration, and plans for sustaining funding beyond the grant period.

Focused on historic preservation capacity-building, this fund invites eligible North Dakota public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofit preservation organizations that are Organizational Level Forum or Main Street America members to seek support. Grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation reimburse mentor travel and honoraria for tailored, peer-to-peer leadership and organizational development.

North American not-for-profit institutions caring for cultural collections, including those in North Dakota, can apply for the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation’s Ross Merrill Award to recognize outstanding preservation and conservation programs. This non-monetary award honors exemplary, long-term collections care, community outreach, and professional conservation leadership in museums, historic sites, libraries, archives, and similar organizations.

North Dakota congregations with community-serving historic houses of worship can access funding through Partners for Sacred Places for major capital projects and preservation needs. The National Fund for Sacred Places offers US $50,000 - US $500,000 matching grants nationwide for urgent repairs, accessibility upgrades, and rehabilitation that respect historic character, plus training and technical assistance.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations planning historic preservation projects in small towns (population 10,000 or less), including in North Dakota, can apply for US $2,500 - US $15,000 to support planning and education efforts. Focused on preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation invites applicants seeking seed funding for professional expertise and community outreach.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in North Dakota 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 businesses may also receive funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations planning or implementing historic preservation projects in North Dakota can seek 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 consultants, materials, conferences, and innovative programs, with individuals and for-profits eligible only for National Historic Landmark projects.

North Dakota public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits stewarding modern buildings 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, conservation plans, feasibility studies, and related technical planning for significant 20th-century historic assets.

Individual engineers, architects, and other preservation-related professionals in the U.S. can receive up to US $15,000 for innovative research or design proposals in preservation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of the built environment. The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation’s Robert Silman Award supports work that advances historic preservation practice and can benefit communities, including those in North Dakota.

Historic preservation organizations in North Dakota that are dues-paying members of the National Preservation Partners Network can seek funding for advocacy, capacity building, or climate change projects. The Moe Family Fund for Statewide and Local Partners from the National Trust for Historic Preservation offers up to US $10,000 for staff time, consultants, training, outreach, and related project costs.

North Dakota historic preservation organizations and entities representing historic Black churches can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preserving Black Churches Grant Program. Grants of US $50,000 - US $500,000 support capital projects, endowments, organizational capacity, programming and interpretation, and project planning for historic Black houses of worship and related structures across the U.S.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving veterans with preservation, arts, education, or environmental projects in North Dakota and across the U.S. can seek funding for transformative initiatives. 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 within its defined focus areas.

Community preservation and agriculture-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in North Dakota 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 awards annual grants nationally, and North Dakota preservation projects may be eligible if they match these priorities.

Historic preservation and related cultural or educational 501(c)(3) organizations in North Dakota can seek support for programs that improve quality of life and protect heritage. Focused on educational, historical, and preservation efforts, the Valley Foundation funds groups working locally, regionally, and nationally to strengthen communities and society.

Historic preservation and related cultural organizations, including Native American groups, can seek funding for preservation, cultural activities, and other charitable purposes through the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Although based in Oregon, the fund supports eligible Native American organizations across the U.S., which may benefit North Dakota preservation efforts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on historic preservation and related community programs in North Dakota can seek funding for operating support, specific projects, or endowments. The Alvah H and Wyline P Chapman Foundation supports not-for-profit initiatives in areas where its directors and members live or have interests, including natural and historical conservation efforts.

Qualified 501(c)(3) organizations working on historic preservation and related services may be eligible for funding that supports projects in Utah and beyond. David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation supports sight preservation, children’s services, elder advocacy, environmental conservation, historic preservation, and drunk driving prevention; North Dakota preservation nonprofits whose work aligns with these priorities may apply.

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.

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.

Accredited charities planning humanitarian, educational, environmental, or cultural projects in North Dakota and worldwide can seek philanthropic support for community-focused initiatives. Roche prioritizes innovative, sustainable efforts that engage its expertise, logistics, and employees. North Dakota organizations with historic preservation components embedded in broader community or cultural projects may be eligible through local Roche affiliates.

The Devils Lake Area Foundation Grant supports charitable initiatives in the Devils Lake area, providing funding for educational, scientific, musical, and human services programs. Established in 1975, it has distributed over $2.9 million to more than 200 charities. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in the area. Applications are accepted semi-annually, with deadlines on the last business day of May and November. Grants can fund concrete items and improvements that can be completed within six months.

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.