Preserving America Grant
Americana Corner was created to preserve and share the story of America’s founding, fostering a deeper understanding and lasting appreciation of our nation’s history. To further this mission, the Preserving America Grant program was established as a philanthropic initiative supporting preservation, education, fundraising, and marketing efforts at historical sites focused on early American history. Since its inception, the program has awarded millions of dollars in funding to hundreds of organizations nationwide, supporting a diverse range of projects that bring our nation’s past to life. The Preserving America program was created to empower historical organizations to preserve our nation’s story, engage communities, and build lasting sustainability through funding, mentorship, and collaboration. Because of our efforts, we further hope that the “love of country,” the Amor Patriae, will be rekindled in the hearts of Americans.
Details
Request for funding may not exceed $15,000. Amount awarded may differ from amount requested.
Applications are accepted from November 15 through December 15, and recipients are announced each year on George Washington’s birthday (February 22).
Recipient Criteria
The organization must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Eligible organizations must have a primary mission centered on the preservation, education, or public interpretation of pre-1876 American history. Priority consideration will be given to organizations exclusively dedicated to this period.
The organization must be non-partisan and non-political.
Sites, buildings, and houses receiving funding must be open to the public without appointment for a minimum of two days per week, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Request Criteria
Grant requests must fit into one of the following categories:
Preserve –– Support the preservation and restoration of a site, structure, or object whose historical significance pre-dates 1876.
Restoration must ensure adherence to their pre-1876 condition, with an emphasis on interpretation. Priority will be given to restoring buildings over objects.
Grant funding may not be used for general operating expenses or modern site improvements such as HVAC systems, ADA ramps, office space and equipment; landscaping projects that do not return the site to its pre-1876 appearance; preservation of historic objects not intended for regular public display; monuments, memorials, and statues built after 1876.
Educate –– Support educational programs and interpretive initiatives that deepen public understanding of pre-1876 American history.
Funding is designated for living history demonstration (reenactments, first-person storytelling, interpretive presentations).
Support may also include curriculum resources, school programs, field trip support, traveling trunks, and lecture series.
Create –– Support initiatives that increase visibility, reach, interpretation, and visitor engagement through digital, physical, and multimedia improvements.
Funding may be used for website redesign or improvements.
Support may include interpretive signage, exhibits, displays or installations. Permanent displays will be given priority over temporary displays. Temporary exhibits must be on display for at least one year (on-site or as a traveling exhibit).
Support may also include short-form educational or orientation videos, audio tours, or digital storytelling that enhance understanding and visitor experience.
Recipient Package
Each Preserving America Grant recipient receives:
Project Funding: Direct financial support for the approved project (amount TBD).
Digital Marketing: An amount equal to 10% of the total grant award, not to exceed $1,000, must be allocated toward paid digital advertising to promote the site and its funded project.
Cross-Promotion: Co-promotion of grant recipients and their projects across Americana Corner platforms, including website and social media channels.
Award Criteria
The application deadline is December 15.
Each organization may submit one grant request per calendar year.
Funding requests may not exceed $15,000. Final award amounts are determined at the discretion of the grant administrator and may differ from the amount requested.
Recipients are required to allocate 10% of the total grant award toward paid digital advertising to promote the site and its funded project, not to exceed $1,000.
All projects must begin before August 15.
Recipients are required to submit progress reports.
Interim update: due by August 15.
Final report: due upon completion of the project, no later than December 15. The final report must include renderings or photos of the completed project.
All projects must be completed by December 15 of the calendar year in which the grant is awarded.
Failure to complete a project or submit reports by the deadline will disqualify you from upcoming grant opportunities until the project is completed and final report submitted.
Grant recipients will acknowledge Americana Corner’s support in all appropriate programs, publications, public announcements, social media channels, signage, and website, if applicable and as mutually agreed upon. We have created a Media Kit to assist you.
Americana Corner reserves full discretion regarding the timing, requirements, and all other aspects of grant funding.
Funding Release Requirements
Funds will be released upon completion of the following:
Social media announcement –– Announce your Preserving American Grant award within five days of notification on your organization’s social media platforms in accordance with Americana Corner’s media guidelines.
Preserve Grants –– Preservation and restoration projects must be substantially completed before funds are released.
Educate Grants –– For student visitation and field trip programs, documentation confirming program implementation and student participation (such as schedules, attendance records, or reimbursement requests) must be submitted prior to the release of funds.
Create Grants –– Final design proofs for signage and displays must be approved prior to production. Signage and displays must be installed, film projects completed, and websites published before funds will be released.
The application window is open November 15-December 15. Grant recipients will be announced on February 22, George Washington’s birthday. View our previous Preserving America Grant recipients.
