Historic Preservation Grants

The Historic Preservation Grant Program, established in 1986 by the State of Vermont, supports municipalities and non-profits in rehabilitating historic buildings essential to local communities. Offering competitive 50/50 matching grants up to $20,000, this program aims to preserve structures over 50 years old that are on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The initiative fosters the revitalization of town halls, museums, and theaters, ensuring Vermont's unique heritage is maintained.

Established in 1986, the State-funded Historic Preservation Grant Program helps municipalities and non-profit organizations rehabilitate the historic buildings that are a vital part of Vermont’s downtowns, villages, and rural communities, as well as its iconic landscape.
Grants have been used to revitalize buildings such as town halls, museums, theaters, libraries, recreation centers, and other municipal buildings. If your municipality or non-profit organization owns a historic property, you may be eligible for a Historic Preservation Grant to assist  with the cost of capital projects to repair and restore historic building features.
The Division for Historic Preservation, in cooperation with the Legislature and Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, is able to award competitive 50/50 matching grants of up to $20,000 for the repair and rehabilitation of a historic building. In order to qualify, the building must be at least 50 years old and listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
This is a reimbursement grant program, which means that if you are awarded a grant, you are responsible for paying for the full amount of the project and the State will reimburse you once the project and required paperwork are completed.
Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Eligibility

Properties owned by non-profit organizations or municipalities are eligible for funding through the state grant program. A building must also be either listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places to qualify. Projects to repair and/or restore historic building features are eligible.Work must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation to qualify for funding. This could include but is not limited to:Work on a failed structural component, such as the building’s frame, foundation or roof.Repairs to damaged or deteriorated components of the historic building, such as windows, doors, porches, and siding.Preservation or restoration of significant historic features of a building, including historic plaster or decorative painting restoration.

Ineligibility

Privately owned businesses or homes are not eligible for funding.Ineligible work includes:New constructionAdditionsElectricalPlumbing or heating projectsWeatherization or code improvements. Maintenance work such as cleaning or paintingPlanning projects