Best Grants for Historic Preservation in Utah

Owners of historic buildings in rural Utah downtowns can receive US $25,000 - US $50,000 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 funding to eligible properties in Tier 2 Utah Main Street communities, requiring a 25% match.

Academic researchers and graduate students in Utah studying geography education can apply for National Geographic Society grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $10,000 for non-commercial research projects. Funded work must support geographic education in Utah, produce a defined research output, and align with at least one of the Society’s six focus areas.

With a mission to honor community folklore, William G Pomeroy Foundation provides Utah historic preservation groups with funding to install Legends & Lore markers celebrating local folktales, legends, and folklife traditions. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, nonprofit academic institutions, and government entities in Utah documenting community-based cultural heritage stories and practices.

Utah 501(c)(3) organizations and government units preserving historic sites or cultural heritage can apply for the Eccles Foundation’s grants, with awards up to US $2,000,000 for capital, program, or equipment needs. Eligible projects must fit the foundation’s focus areas, demonstrate strong management, and show broad community and financial support across Utah.

Utah Native-led 501(c)(3) organizations, tribal governments with IRS 7871 status, and fiscally sponsored groups on the Colorado Plateau can access funding through Colorado Plateau Foundation to strengthen their organizational capacity. Grants of US $1,000 - US $25,000 support work such as protecting sacred places and endangered landscapes, preserving Native languages, and sustaining community-based agriculture.

Native-led 501(c)(3) organizations or tribal governments on the Colorado Plateau in Utah can receive up to US $10,000 for urgent projects in water protection, sacred sites, Native languages, or sustainable agriculture. With a mission to support Native cultures, lands, and waters, Colorado Plateau Foundation offers rapid response funding separate from its annual grant cycle.

Nonprofit arts and culture organizations, including those focused on historic preservation in Utah communities served by Rocky Mountain Power, can apply for US $2,000 - US $5,000 grants to support cultural enrichment activities. Rocky Mountain Power Foundation funds performing and visual arts, historic preservation, and cross-cultural education projects within its designated service area.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofit organizations in Utah 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 protecting traditional cultures and historic or archaeological sites, including surveys, workshops, legal resources, stabilization, and capacity-building efforts.

Utah historic preservation and cultural heritage nonprofits caring for collections can receive national recognition for exemplary conservation practices through the Ross Merrill Award, administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation. This non-monetary award honors North American not-for-profit institutions with sustained, model programs in collections care, planning, community impact, and outreach that others can emulate.

Historic preservation nonprofits and community-serving congregations in Utah can seek US $50,000 - US $500,000 in matching funds for significant capital projects at purpose-built historic houses of worship. Grants from Partners for Sacred Places help restore structurally significant buildings, address urgent repairs, and improve accessibility while honoring each site’s historic character.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations planning historic preservation projects in Utah towns with populations under 10,000 can seek US $2,500 - US $15,000 for planning and education efforts. Grants from National Trust for Historic Preservation help fund consultant fees, feasibility studies, design guidelines, and public outreach introducing new audiences to preservation concepts and techniques.

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 individual and for-profit applicants when projects involve a National Historic Landmark.

Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in Utah can seek 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.

Utah public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits stewarding modern buildings by Black architects can seek US $150,000 grants for preservation planning and limited capital work. Focused on conserving Black modernist heritage, the National Trust for Historic Preservation supports research, technical studies, and management plans that strengthen long-term historic preservation efforts.

Individual engineers, architects, and other preservation-related professionals in Utah can seek up to US $15,000 for original proposals on preserving, restoring, or adaptively reusing the built environment. The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation’s Robert Silman Award supports U.S.-based projects that advance historic preservation practice and share results through publications, lectures, exhibitions, or similar dissemination.

National Preservation Partners Network member organizations in Utah can use these grants to strengthen historic preservation advocacy, capacity, or climate-related work. The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers up to US $10,000 for projects such as staff time, consultants, research, training, community workshops, and media or advocacy campaigns that build more effective preservation partners.

Historic Black churches and 501(c)(3) nonprofits stewarding historic Black church buildings in Utah can seek US $50,000 - US $500,000 for preservation projects from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preserving Black Churches program. Funding supports capital repairs, planning, staffing, programming, and interpretation that protect historic structures and advance historic preservation goals.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving veterans with projects in art, culture, historic character, or related preservation can access funding through Impact100 Global Veterans. Grants up to US $100,000 support new or expanded initiatives, including those in Utah, that strengthen veterans’ lives through education, environment, recreation, family services, or health and wellness.

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, 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.