Best Grants for Historic Buildings in Utah

Owners of historic buildings in rural Utah downtowns can use this grant to rehabilitate interior ground-floor commercial spaces and upper floors for housing. With a mission to support historic preservation, Utah State Historic Preservation Office provides Utah property owners with competitive funding of US $25,000 - US $50,000, requiring a 25% match from recipients.

Academic researchers and graduate students in Utah and select other states can apply for National Geographic Society grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000 to conduct non-commercial geography education research. Projects must support geographic education locally, produce a defined research output, and may include work connected to historic preservation, community heritage, or related learning approaches.

501(c)(3) organizations, nonprofit academic institutions, and government entities in Utah can seek funding to install Legends & Lore markers celebrating local folktales, legends, and folklife traditions. With a mission to honor community heritage, William G Pomeroy Foundation supports projects that highlight shared stories, customs, and cultural practices, which may complement historic preservation efforts.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofit organizations in Utah preserving traditional cultures and historic sites can apply for the Southwest Intervention Fund, awarding US $2,500 - US $10,000 for planning and emergency intervention projects. Funding can support archaeological surveys, stabilization, legal or communications work, and other historic preservation efforts for buildings and cultural landscapes.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) cultural enrichment organizations working on historic preservation and related arts in Utah can apply for $2,000 - $5,000 project grants from Rocky Mountain Power Foundation. Funding supports performing and visual arts, historic preservation, and cross-cultural education benefiting communities within the Rocky Mountain Power service area, with arts and culture proposals due September 15.

Utah Native-led 501(c)(3) organizations and tribal governments working on water, sacred places, language, or community-based agriculture can access funding through Colorado Plateau Foundation to strengthen their organizational capacity. Grants of US $1,000 - US $25,000 may benefit groups whose work includes stewardship of culturally significant or historic landscapes and places on the Colorado Plateau.

Native-led 501(c)(3) organizations or tribal governments on the Colorado Plateau working in environmental stewardship, sacred site protection, Native language preservation, or sustainable agriculture in Utah can seek rapid response funding for urgent needs. With a mission to support Native cultures, lands, and waters, Colorado Plateau Foundation provides up to US $10,000 outside its annual grant cycle.

Utah 501(c)(3) organizations and government units preserving historic buildings or cultural heritage can apply for the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation’s funding; awards up to US $2,000,000 support high-impact projects. Eligible efforts may also include arts, education, health, environment, and community services that strengthen Utah communities.

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

Nonprofit organizations and public agencies stewarding modern historic buildings by Black architects can receive US $150,000 for preservation planning and limited capital work, including in Utah. 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 sites.

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

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Utah preserving or restoring historic interiors can apply for US $2,500 - US $15,000 to support planning, education, and bricks-and-mortar interior work. National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors also accepts certain projects from individuals and for-profits when they involve a National Historic Landmark.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations planning historic preservation projects in Utah towns under 10,000 people can seek funding for planning and education efforts. Grants from National Trust for Historic Preservation help small communities hire preservation professionals, conduct feasibility studies, and run public outreach, offering US $2,500 - US $15,000 in seed money for local preservation initiatives.

Congregations undertaking major preservation projects at historic houses of worship in Utah and nationwide can seek matching grants of US $50,000 - US $500,000 for capital repairs, accessibility, and community-serving space improvements. Grants from Partners for Sacred Places and the National Trust for Historic Preservation also provide training, technical assistance, and planning support for eligible, community-engaged congregations.

Utah historic preservation and museum organizations caring for cultural collections can access recognition through the Ross Merrill Award, honoring exemplary, long-term conservation and collections care across North America. Administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, this non-monetary award celebrates institutions whose conservation planning, professional leadership, and community outreach can serve as a model for others.

Historic preservation nonprofits and public agencies in Utah can seek funding for peer mentoring and leadership development, including travel reimbursement and mentor honoraria. Focused on strengthening preservation organizations, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund supports staff and board capacity-building to improve fundraising, advocacy, real estate, and organizational management nationwide, including Utah-based groups.

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.

Accredited charities in Utah and worldwide can seek funding for humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural projects that promote sustainable development. La Roche supports initiatives such as community development, disaster relief, environmental conservation, STEM education, arts, and historic preservation, especially when they can engage Roche expertise and employees and involve local authorities and partners early on.

Historic preservation nonprofits in Utah that are dues-paying members of the National Preservation Partners Network can receive up to US $10,000 for advocacy, capacity building, or climate-related projects. National Trust for Historic Preservation supports staff time, consultants, research, training, software, outreach, and related project costs that strengthen preservation organizations and their programs.

Historic preservation organizations, public agencies, and entities representing historic Black churches can seek US $50,000 - US $500,000 for capital projects, planning, staffing, and programming that preserve historic Black houses of worship nationwide, including Utah. Focus areas include bricks-and-mortar repairs, endowments, organizational capacity, interpretive programming, and professional project planning services.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving veterans through historic preservation, arts, education, environment, family, or health initiatives can seek up to US $100,000 for new or expanding projects. Impact100 Global Veterans provides large, two-year grants nationwide, which may benefit Utah organizations working on veteran-focused historic buildings or cultural sites.

The Mishler Brown Fund Grant, managed by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, supports nonprofits dedicated to agriculture and historic preservation. Applications are accepted annually from October 1 to December 31, with funds awarded in January. Organizations must have a 501(c)(3) status but do not need to be located in Elkhart County. The fund honors Helen Mishler's legacy by preserving farming heritage, including her family's historic homestead.

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 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.

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. Projects must align with the Foundation’s mission in one of the following areas

• Arts & culture
• Education
• Literary or academic programs
• History preservation