Arizona Route 66 Grant

The Arizona Route 66 Grant aims to mobilize philanthropy for preserving and promoting Route 66 in Arizona. The Arizona Community Foundation, in partnership with the Historic Route 66 Association, invites applications from eligible organizations for grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000. Projects may include restoration, educational outreach, and planning activities that enhance the historical significance of Route 66 while fostering community partnerships and supporting local economies.

NOTE: All users will be required to update and complete their organizational profile before being able to submit any grant application. Do not wait until the deadline date to set up your organization’s profile and apply.
Arizona Route 66 Grant Cycle
The Arizona Community Foundation in cooperation with the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona are seeking applications from nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, along with local, state, tribal government agencies in Arizona to compete for a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation's Arizona Route 66 Fund.
Grants will be awarded to projects that aim to preserve, promote, and protect Route 66 in Arizona. ACF will accept proposals that benefit and support preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation projects as well as planning, educational, and research projects that focus on Route 66 in Arizona.
ACF encourages proposals that:
Leverage matching fundsPositively impact the Route 66 Arizona communityPromote partnerships between private business and nonprofits.Support direct administrative costs associated with carrying out the program, such as staff salary/wages, project management, marketing, consultants, supplies, postage, travel, training or equipment, newly-acquired information technology, etc. Direct costs can also include directly attributable administrative support, legal or accounting functions, with distinct and measured effort on the project.
Proposed Project Categories
Applications for projects outside these specified areas will also be accepted.
Preservation, Restoration, and Rehabilitation Projects
The preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of transportation-related properties on Route 66 are eligible project activities. Properties must be on, or within view of a Route 66 road alignment; be in their original location; and retain some historical and architectural integrity.Eligible property types include:gas stations, automotive repair shops, and other automobile-related businessesrestaurants and cafesmotels, hotels, and campgroundscurio shops, tourist trading posts, tourism-related attractionsoriginal road pavement and associated road features (e.g., bridges, culverts)Eligible activities include, but are not limited to repair, rehabilitation, or restoration of:Doors and WindowsLight FixturesHistoric Signs (in Historic Locations)BridgesHistoric Road PavementRoofsFloorsFoundationsStructural ElementsPlumbing, electrical, HVAC
Planning, Research, Interpretive, or Educational Outreach Projects
Planning, research, interpretive or educational projects are eligible project activities. Examples of eligible activities include:
Project Planning and Architectural Drawings for preservation, rehabilitation or restoration of eligible historic properties. Plans and drawings must be prepared by a registered historical architect or other related professional, and comply with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.Historic Structure Reports for properties listed on or determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Other properties relating to the 1926-1970 period of significance may also be considered. Reports must be prepared by a historical architect.Building, Road and/or Archeological Surveys by local, state, and tribal governments that identify and describe historic properties within an area or region along Route 66, and assess the significance, cultural value, condition and/or threats to the properties.Road Alignment or Pavement Preservation Plans prepared by local, state, and tribal governments.Local Corridor Preservation Management Plans prepared by local, state, and tribal governmentsPlanning, development, and production of Research, Oral Histories, Interpretive or Educational Activities that directly advance the understanding, preservation, and prestige of Route 66.
Funding
Proposals may be submitted for a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. The total granting pool depends on fund availability at the time.

Eligibility

ACF will accept only one proposal from a qualified organization. Any Arizona 501(c)(3) organization, government agency, educational institution or tribal entity that operates with fiscal accountability and responsibility. Religious organizations may apply for funding of non-sectarian programs.Organizations without 501(c)(3) status must use a fiscal agent to apply on their behalf. Fiscal agents must have a visible profile on the ACF website, and also be a 501(c)(3) organization.Organizations must demonstrate a non-discrimination policy regarding staff, employment, governing board and service based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or national origin, and provide evidence of the policy.Organizations must be in good standing with the IRS at the time of review or else the submitted application(s) will be immediately declined.Organizations must complete projects and programs within the Arizona geographic boundaries.