National Fund for Sacred Places Grant Program

National Fund for Sacred Places Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Partners For Sacred Places Inc
Amount: US $50,000 - US $500,000
Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Summary

The National Fund for Sacred Places Grant Program supports historic houses of worship in the U.S. through matching grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. This initiative, in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, aims to enhance community engagement and preserve culturally significant buildings. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate their historical relevance and community service, particularly those representing underrepresented groups. The program prioritizes urgent repair needs and projects that foster inclusivity and accessibility.

Overview

Supporting Historic Sacred Places A program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Fund for Sacred Places provides financial and technical support for community-serving historic houses of worship across America. What We Offer The National Fund for Sacred Places provides matching grants of $50,000 to $500,000 to congregations undertaking significant capital projects at historic houses of worship, along with wraparound services including training, technical assistance, and planning support. Core Criteria The National Fund for Sacred Places assesses grant requests according to the core criteria shown below, while also striving to build a diverse participant pool that reflects a broad range of geographic, cultural, and religious identities. We welcome submissions related to historic sacred places important to all communities including those that have been historically underrepresented within preservation, such as places associated with women, immigrants, Asian Americans, Black Americans, Latine Americans, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and LGBTQ+ communities. We prioritize projects where there is a demonstrated need (meaning that the congregation cannot raise the funds alone), or where it is clear that a National Fund grant will have a catalytic effect (meaning that our grant is likely to lead to additional monies being contributed to the project). Historic, Cultural, or Architectural Significance The National Fund for Sacred Places supports congregations undertaking significant capital projects at purpose-built historic houses of worship. The National Fund prioritizes buildings that have historic, cultural, or architectural significance; particularly those that are significant at the national or regional level. Designation as a local landmark or listing on the National Register of Historic Places is not required, but referring to the National Register criteria can help clarify the ways in which a historic house of worship is significant. Community-Serving Congregations The National Fund prioritizes congregations that are engaged in their communities and that are providing public value. Engaged congregations operate and host programming that serves non-members and/or vulnerable and at-risk populations; share space with non-affiliated groups and organizations (often at subsidized rates); partner and collaborate with other congregations, faith-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and/or municipalities; and have a widespread reputation for being a welcoming center of community life and as an anchoring institution. Project Scope and Need We fund historic preservation projects addressing urgent repair needs related to structural components, walls, roof, and/or other elements of the building envelope that are integral to a building’s preservation and longevity. Projects that improve functionality or improve accessibility of the property in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are also eligible, as well as renovation projects that make vacant or underused space usable for community outreach, but applicants should demonstrate that urgent repair needs to the building envelope have already been identified by a building conditions assessment and addressed before proposing ADA or interior rehabilitation projects. All projects must respect the property’s historic character and materials, and adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Fundraising Readiness All National Fund grants require a 1:1 cash match, so applicants must demonstrate that they are able to raise matching funds within the two-year grant period. Applicants must demonstrate a need for project funds that exceeds the congregation’s typical donor base and membership. Successful applicants have begun to lay the groundwork for fundraising by undertaking some or all of the following activities, although this is not an exhaustive list: building the team that will oversee the campaign or effort; establishing realistic fundraising goals; brainstorming prospective donors; beginning to plan fundraising events, etc. We encourage congregations undertaking capital projects larger than $500,000 to work with a fundraising professional. Healthy Congregations The National Fund prioritizes healthy, stable congregations so that our investment is truly impactful and lasting. We look for some or all of the following, although this is not an exhaustive list of characteristics that indicate healthy congregations: tenured, well-respected clergy; capable lay leadership; stable or growing membership; financial strength and stability; consensus around project goals; positive and supportive relationship with regional denominational offices, if applicable; and a history of weathering challenges with resilience. We also take into consideration the congregation’s commitment to the care and long-term stewardship of its building, with an understanding that the building is an asset for ministry and is central to congregational life.

Eligibility

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