Best Preservation Grants in Texas

Texas 501(c)(3) public charities and governmental units can seek funding for Texas history projects, including archaeology, archives, libraries, museums, education, preservation, publications, and scholarly research. The Summerlee Foundation provides support statewide, with particular interest in underserved cultural and geographic areas and projects demonstrating expert involvement, strong community backing, or recognized historic status.

Texas Historical Commission

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is the state agency for historic preservation. We save the real places that tell the real stories of Texas. The Texas State Legislature established the agency in 1953 as the Texas State Historical Survey Committee with the task to identify important historic sites across the state. The Texas Legislature changed the agency's name to the Texas Historical Commission in 1973. Along with the name change came more protective powers, an expanded leadership role, and broader educational responsibilities.

The mission of the Texas Historical Commission (THC) is to protect and preserve the state’s historic and prehistoric resources for the active use and economic benefit of Texans and visitors while bridging the past with the future.

Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program

The Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) offers funding to counties through its nationally renowned, award-winning grant program. The THCPP may award up to $10 million to eligible counties through a biannual, competitive application process. To participate in the THCPP and be eligible to receive grant funding, a project must meet the following criteria:

• A building that serves or has served as a county courthouse
• A building that is over 50 years old or is certified as worthy of preservation
• A building that has a current master plan approved by the THC. 

Courthouses with an approved Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP) master plan may apply for emergency funding at any time, and construction grant recipients may apply for supplemental funding to address changes to their project.    

Texas-based community organizations working on historic preservation, veterans, pro-life causes, support animals, or general community needs can apply for the Apricity Foundation Grant. Funding supports programs that entertain, educate, inspire, and strengthen local communities, and may benefit preservation-focused projects that fit these priorities.

About

The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) is an Advisory Commission to the Texas Historical Commission (THC).

The THGAAC is composed of nine citizen members appointed by the governor to six-year terms. Commissioners and staff members connect with thousands of Texans each year by promoting public education and awareness of the Holocaust, other genocides, and antisemitism in Texas.

Our Mission

The mission of the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission is to combat and confront hatred, prejudice, and indifference by educating all Texans about the Holocaust and other genocides in an effort to dismantle antisemitism and prevent future atrocities.

THGAAC Education Grant

The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) offers to fund a variety of programs through its THGAAC Education Grant program. These grant funds may be used for:

• Combating antisemitism and/or implementing Holocaust and genocide courses of study and awareness programs;
• Supporting volunteers who have agreed to share, in classrooms, seminars, exhibits, or workshops, their verifiable knowledge and experiences regarding the Holocaust or other genocides;
• Supporting events that memorialize the Holocaust and other genocides;
• Supporting events designed to enhance public awareness of the fight against antisemitism and continuing significance of the Holocaust and other genocides; and
• Supporting efforts to recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

This grant is open to all permanent, non-profit institutions that are headquartered in the State of Texas.

Amounts up to $50,000.00 may be granted per project.

Texas historic preservation and related charitable organizations can access funding through the Burdine Johnson Foundation to support projects in arts, education, health and human services, the environment, and historic preservation. Grants of US $5,000 - US $30,000 prioritize Hays County and Central Texas groups, with occasional support elsewhere in the state.

Texas organizations preserving historic or archaeological sites can apply for Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Preservation Trust Fund grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $50,000 for acquisition, restoration, planning, design, investigation, surveys, curatorial work, and heritage education. Competitive, reimbursement-based awards require a 1:1 cash match and prioritize endangered, historically significant properties and sites statewide.

Texas 501(c)(3) organizations, nonprofit academic institutions, and government entities can seek funding to install Legends & Lore markers celebrating local folktales, legends, and folklife traditions. With a mission to honor community cultural heritage, William G Pomeroy Foundation supports projects that promote cultural tourism and preserve shared stories, customs, and expressive arts in eligible states including Texas.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofits in Texas can seek funding for historic preservation planning, education, and outreach projects, with awards ranging from US $2,500 - US $5,000. National Trust for Historic Preservation support can cover professional consultants, staff time, community forums, and innovative programs introducing new audiences to preservation.

The Valley Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Santa Clara County and beyond by supporting qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. Focused on educational, historical, and preservation initiatives, the Foundation provides essential funding to groups dedicated to societal improvement. By fostering partnerships with like-minded entities, The Valley Foundation strives to create lasting positive change through its grant-making efforts.

The Kempner Fund's Navigation Fund provides essential support to nonprofit organizations focused on strategic growth in Galveston, Texas. Eligible applicants, which must be current partners of the Kempner Fund, can apply for up to $7,500 to enhance their organizational resilience, governance, equity, and data measurement capabilities. The fund prioritizes proposals that demonstrate clear alignment with the Kempner Fund's mission and values, ensuring long-term community impact.

With a mission to support Galveston’s long-term success, Harris & Eliza Kempner Fund provides Texas nonprofits with micro-grants up to US $5,000 to build capacity and launch community-based programs. New or smaller 501(c)(3) organizations benefiting Galveston, including those working in historic preservation and community heritage, can apply after completing an eligibility screening.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations supporting or benefiting the Galveston, Texas community can apply for the Harris & Eliza Kempner Fund’s Vibrant Culture core grants, awarding US $20,000 - US $75,000 for arts, humanities, and historic preservation initiatives. Funding supports preserving Galveston’s cultural heritage and strengthening its creative ecosystem, including tourism and community culture efforts in Texas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on farming, agriculture, natural resource conservation, or historic preservation of farms, barns, and equipment in Texas and nationwide can seek project-based support through the Mishler Brown Fund. The Community Foundation of Elkhart County awards annual grants sized to match the scope of proposed agriculture and preservation projects.

Small, independently owned brick-and-mortar businesses pursuing historic preservation or economic development projects along the Route 66 corridor in Texas can seek US $5,000 - US $10,000 for capital, planning, or marketing efforts. The National Trust for Historic Preservation prioritizes projects highlighting underrepresented Route 66 community stories, including painting and mural projects for the 2026 centennial.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving veterans through preservation, education, arts, environment, family, or health initiatives can seek up to US $100,000 for new or expanding projects. Impact100 Global Veterans provides funding for programs fully benefitting veterans, including those that enhance historic, cultural, or natural sites, which may support preservation efforts in Texas.

Public agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits in Texas counties along the Route 66 corridor can receive US $2,500 - US $10,000 to preserve and interpret historic places. National Trust for Historic Preservation funding supports restoration, stabilization, consultant services, education programs, and related project costs for Route 66–connected sites and stories.

Historic Black churches and related nonprofits in Texas can seek funding to preserve and steward historic Black houses of worship, including capital work, planning, staffing, and cultural programming. Focused on historic preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preserving Black Churches program offers US $50,000 - US $500,000 to support long-term sustainability and community-serving uses.

Historic preservation organizations in Texas that are dues-paying members of the National Preservation Partners Network can receive up to US $10,000 to strengthen advocacy, capacity, or climate-related preservation work. National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Moe Family Fund supports staff time, consultants, research, training, and related project expenses with a required one-to-one match.

Individual engineers, architects, and other preservation-related professionals in Texas can apply for the Robert Silman Award to support original work on preservation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of the built environment in the U.S. James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation provides up to US $15,000 for research or design proposals that advance historic preservation practice and can be shared with the field.

Focused on historic preservation, this program invites Texas public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits to seek US $150,000 for planning and limited capital work on modern buildings designed by Black architects. The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Conserving Black Modernism grants fund research, technical studies, conservation plans, and stewardship strategies for significant 20th-century sites.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofit organizations in eligible West Texas counties can apply for the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Southwest Intervention Fund; awards US $2,500 - US $10,000 for preservation planning and emergency interventions. Funding supports traditional culture sites, archaeological resources, legal advocacy, and capacity-building projects in the Southwest region.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Texas can receive US $2,500 - US $15,000 for historic preservation planning, education, and bricks-and-mortar projects through the Johanna Favrot Fund from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Funding can cover consultants, conferences, communications, and restoration work, with a required dollar-for-dollar cash match.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors, established by George P. Mitchell in 1997, supports the preservation of historic interiors through grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits, while individuals may apply if their project involves a National Historic Landmark. The competitive selection process typically concludes within three months, with grant recipients required to match funds dollar-for-dollar. This initiative promotes education and planning activities crucial for maintaining historic interior integrity.

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 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is inviting applications for the Public Humanities Projects program, aimed at enhancing public understanding of the humanities through exhibitions, historic site interpretations, and public lectures. For 2027, topics of interest include Western civilization, literature, the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, civic education, and cultural literacy. This initiative seeks to foster civil discourse and engage communities in meaningful discussions.

The FY 2027 – 2029 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) by the National Marine Fisheries Service invites innovative research and educational projects that enhance NOAA's mission. This funding opportunity focuses on applied environmental and cultural resource research, technical assistance, and education to promote effective stewardship of public lands. Please note that the availability of funds is contingent on appropriations, and this announcement does not guarantee project funding or review beyond initial administrative checks.

Texas Preservation Trust Fund

The TPTF Grant Program is your opportunity to save and protect Texas' threatened historic resources.

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) awards grants for preservation projects from the Texas Preservation Trust Fund (TPTF). The Texas Legislature established the TPTF in 1989. The fund is currently managed by the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company. Investment earnings are distributed as matching grants to qualified applicants for acquisition, survey, restoration, preservation, planning, and heritage education activities leading to the preservation of historic architectural and archeological properties and associated collections of the State of Texas. Competitive grants are awarded on a one-to-one match basis and are paid as reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred during the project.

TPTF — Panhandle Special Fund

As part of mitigation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and in consideration for a partial covenant release, TxDOT allocated $500,000 to the TPTF grant program for the partial acquisition of the former historic Amarillo Helium Plant to use as right-of-way. These funds will provide one-to-one matching grants for eligible projects in TxDOT’s Amarillo District, which includes Armstrong, Carson, Dallam, Gray, Deaf Smith, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Potter, Randall, Roberts, and Sherman counties. The THC anticipates grant awards to be in the $10,000 to $100,000 range. The total amount of funds in this earmark available for eligible projects in the FY 27 grant cycle is $243,617.69. Grants require a one-to-one match.