Historic Preservation Restoration Grant

The Historic Preservation Restoration Grant, provided by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, supports the restoration of properties listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places and cemeteries on the National Register. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000, requiring a cash match for funding. The program emphasizes maintaining historical integrity and promotes community engagement through revitalization efforts, ensuring that Arkansas's cultural heritage is preserved for future generations.

Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program documents and registers the state’s cultural resource treasures, and provides grants and technical assistance to help the guardians of these places ensure their survival. Through the Main Street Arkansas program, the AHPP works to bring new vitality to the historic commercial centers that serve as economic development generators in their communities.
Three Preservation Restoration Grant options are available:

• Option 1
• Grants of up to $10,000 are available to the owners of properties that are
• listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places and/or identified as a non-contributing structure in a National Register District;

If the grant project will make the property eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and the owner follows through with the National Register listing process. Option 1 grants are not available for properties listed on the National Register.
Option 2
Grants of $10,000 or more are available to the owners of properties that meet all of the following criteria:

• listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and owned by a not-for-profit organization or a municipality.

No Option 2 grants will be made to individuals' private residences or businesses. Preference will be given to projects that are not eligible for other AHPP grant programs.
PLEASE NOTE: Recipients of Option 2 grants must donate a conservation easement on the property for which the grant is awarded. Both categories of grants require a 50 percent cash match (i.e.: a $10,000 grant would require at least a $5,000 cash match). Applications can be made for only one grant in one Historic Preservation Restoration Grant category per grant cycle.
Option 3
Grants of $5,000 to $9,999 are available to fund restoration projects for cemeteries listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Option 3 grants are available to non-profit organizations (501 (c) 3) and units of local government. If the cemetery is owned by any other entity, the grant may be submitted and administered by an eligible non-profit or unit of local government on behalf of the cemetery. Preference will be given to projects that are not eligible for other AHPP grants.
PLEASE NOTE: Option 3 grant recipients must provide a 20% cash match of the total project cost (i.e., a minimum $5,000 grant award requires a match of $1,000, 50% of which can be in-kind materials, services and/or labor). For Option 3 grants, the AHPP may require an archeological consultation during a scheduled visit by an Arkansas Archeological Survey station archeologist.

Eligibility

For all grants, work must be completed in a one-year timeframe. Work on historic properties must follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. The intent of these standards is to retain as much of the original historic fabric as is possible and practical. These standards, found here, are available from the National Park Service .Option 1 eligibility:Grants are available to non-profit, local government, and private property owners.Eligible properties must be listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places or identified as non-contributing structures in a National Register District.The project must restore architectural features that will make the property eligible for the National RegisterOption 2 eligibility:Grants are available to fund approved restoration projects for properties currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.These grants are available to non-profit and local government.Option 3 eligibility: Grants are available to fund approved restoration projects for cemeteries listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These grants are available to non-profit organizations and units of local government.

Ineligibility

Private property owners are not eligible for Option 2 or Option 3 grant funding.