Best Grants for Historic Buildings in Tennessee

Nonprofits, municipalities, universities, and civic organizations in Tennessee can receive US $15,000 - US $65,000 to preserve historic and archaeological resources with a public use. The Tennessee Historical Commission offers matching grants for surveys, preservation plans, National Register nominations, and restoration of historic buildings, reimbursing up to 60% of approved project costs.

Local governments in Tennessee can seek funding to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities, convert abandoned rail corridors to trails, and preserve or rehabilitate historic transportation buildings and structures. Grants from the Tennessee Department of Transportation support projects that enhance ADA accessibility, renovate historic depots and bridges, and improve access to historic sites connected to surface transportation.

Historic preservation and southern studies public charities in Tennessee and the broader Southeast can seek funding for operating support, programs, research, and publication subventions. Watson Brown Foundation provides grants, often for college-level southern history and culture projects, including museum and archive support, preservation awards, and educational programming that deepen understanding of the American South.

Adam R Scripps Foundation

Adam Scripps lived a life of humble generosity, helping to improve the lives of others without seeking recognition or fanfare for himself. The family-run Adam R. Scripps Foundation, established posthumously in 2023, allocates millions annually to his cherished causes like animal welfare and community development, with grants overseen by his relatives to honor his legacy.

Honoring Adam’s legacy, we make grants to collaborate, provide support and build resources that create opportunities and transformative pathways. For generations to come, we will improve lives and transform communities because we are a leader in family philanthropy. We value helping communities create lasting change. We do this through compassion, love of neighbor, humility, and generosity.

Local Community Grant

A genuine love of neighbor inspired Adam to help others, and his example inspires us to sustain his support of local communities.  

Driven by Adam’s sense of civic responsibility, the foundation is focused on initiatives to support both community infrastructure and the citizens for whom that infrastructure is designed, including:

• Parks and greenspaces
• Recreation facilities
• Visual and performing arts
• Community service organizations
• Historic building preservation
• Festival sponsorship
• Veterans’ organizations

Students in Tennessee pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in historic preservation or public history may be eligible for renewable scholarship support, with preference for Bedford and Williamson County residents. With a mission to build a thriving, inclusive community, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee helps well-rounded students with financial need continue their education in these fields.

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.

Tennessee congregations stewarding historic houses of worship can access funding through Partners for Sacred Places to undertake major preservation and capital projects. This national program offers US $50,000 - US $500,000 matching grants plus training and technical assistance for urgent repairs, accessibility upgrades, and making underused space available for community-serving outreach.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations planning historic preservation projects in small Tennessee 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 to fund consultant fees, feasibility studies, design guidelines, and public education or outreach about historic buildings.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Tennessee preserving historic interiors can apply for the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund, with awards from US $2,500 - US $15,000 for planning, education, and interior restoration projects. Individuals and for-profit entities may be eligible when working with National Historic Landmarks through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

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

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities in Dickson County can seek up to US $5,000 for programs and projects, including historic preservation efforts, in Tennessee. Grants from Community Foundation for Dickson County help support environmental initiatives, youth and senior services, and preservation of historic places that enhance local quality of life.

Historic preservation organizations in Tennessee can seek funding to preserve or restore Southern heritage artifacts, structures, and sites through the Order of the Southern Cross. Projects such as historic homes, monuments, cemeteries, battlefields, and interpretive signage may be eligible, particularly when applicants have already secured a significant portion of required project funds.

Tennessee historic preservation and cultural organizations, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools or colleges, can seek funding for bluegrass-related arts, education, literary, or history projects. These IBMA Foundation Project Grants offer US $1,000 - US $2,500 for initiatives that incorporate bluegrass music into historic preservation or related programming.

Historic preservation nonprofits and public agencies in Tennessee 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 for 20th-century sites such as campuses, cultural centers, schools, libraries, and residences.

Individual engineers, architects, and related design professionals in Tennessee can seek up to US $15,000 to develop innovative proposals in historic preservation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of the built environment. James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation’s Robert Silman Award supports U.S.-based projects that advance preservation practice and share results with the wider preservation community.

Historic preservation nonprofits that are dues-paying members of the National Preservation Partners Network can seek up to US $10,000 to strengthen advocacy, capacity building, or climate-related preservation work nationwide, including Tennessee. Grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation support staff time, consultants, training, outreach, and related project expenses with a required one-to-one match.

Tennessee historic preservation groups, public agencies, and entities stewarding historic Black churches can access funding for capital projects, planning, programming, and organizational capacity. National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preserving Black Churches program offers US $50,000 - US $500,000 to restore and sustain historic Black houses of worship and related buildings across the U.S., including Tennessee sites.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving veterans through historic preservation or related projects in Tennessee and other U.S. locations can seek funding for new or expanding programs. With a mission to empower women philanthropists, Impact100 Global Veterans provides up to US $100,000 for initiatives in arts and culture, environment, family, education, or health and wellness for veterans.

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.

Historic preservation and conservation nonprofits in Tennessee can apply for funding to support agriculture-related heritage, historic farms and barns, farm equipment, or natural resource preservation projects. Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Mishler Brown Fund is open to 501(c)(3) organizations anywhere in the U.S., with awards sized to match the scope of each proposed project.

The Aslan Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations in the greater Knoxville area, focusing on arts, culture, animal welfare, and historic preservation. It promotes public-private partnerships for land conservation and recreational development. Notable projects include High Ground Park and the Loghaven Artist Residency. Eligible applicants are U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations whose activities benefit the Knoxville community. The application process occurs annually from June 30 to July 30.

Historic preservation and related cultural or educational 501(c)(3) organizations in Tennessee may be eligible for support from the Valley Foundation, which funds work primarily in Santa Clara County and beyond. Focused on improving quality of life, it supports programs in historic preservation, education, arts and culture, health, and human services.

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.

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.

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.