DAR Historic Preservation Grants

The DAR Historic Preservation Grants, offered by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, provide $250,000 annually to support projects that preserve historic resources and sites. Eligible applicants must secure additional funding and adhere to preservation guidelines. Projects must recognize DAR's contribution publicly and can include restoration, digitization, and conservation efforts. Preference is given to projects reflecting Colonial to Federal periods, fostering a deep appreciation for American history.

Since our founding in 1890, the National Society of the DAR has supported historic preservation as one of our three main mission areas (along with patriotism and education).
We’re proud to also provide $250,000 in grants annually to support historic preservation efforts in local communities. The DAR Historic Preservation Grants provide financial assistance for projects that preserve historic resources, sites and other history-related projects. Examples include restoration of historic buildings; digitization or preservation of documents/records; preservation of historical items/artifacts; erection of new or rededication/relocation of existing historical markers; cemetery headstone and monument conservation, etc.

Eligibility

Please note that each application must be accompanied by a DAR chapter or state organization sponsorship letter (find a local DAR chapter here)Projects considered for grants must support the DAR mission area of historic preservation, and successful applicants must agree to publicly recognize DAR’s contribution.In order to assure ultimate completion of the project, all other funding (beyond that requested via this grant) must be already firmly secured. Projects should be tangible and long-lived, with lasting historic preservation benefit.
Recipients awarded a DAR Historic Preservation Grant during one administration must wait until the next DAR administration (e.g., July 2025–June 2028) before applying for an additional grant for another project or a different phase of the same project.
DAR Chapters and State Societies are eligible to apply for grants associated with properties/sites that are owned or operated by the DAR entity and included in the NSDAR Historic Sites database.

Ineligibility

Ineligible requests include administrative or operating expenses (e.g. rent, salaries, benefits, utilities, printing); surveys; permits; travel (e.g. mileage, lodging, meals, site rental); food/beverage; vehicles; fundraising; conferences; reenactments, performances; trips, camps, workshops; political activities; construction of new facilities, and creation of displays or exhibits.Funding will not be approved for State Regent Projects, for digitizing Chapter records, or for other lineage societies projects.