Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund

The Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund offers financial support to enhance historic sites and stimulate economic growth along the iconic Route 66. Targeting projects that reflect the diverse narratives of historically underrepresented communities, it funds capital improvements, planning, and marketing/outreach projects by legacy businesses. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000, with no matching funds required, fostering inclusivity and preservation of cultural heritage along the corridor.

The Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund provides financial support to businesses to preserve historic places and spur economic development along the Route 66 corridor, with an emphasis on projects that illuminate the narratives of communities whose places and stories have been historically underrepresented.
Eligible projects will be located in the broader Route 66 corridor including communities and neighborhoods along Route 66. Grants will generally range from $5,000 to $10,000, and no match is required.
Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Eligibility

Projects must be located in a community, neighborhood, or tribal land along the Route 66 corridor in the following states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, or California. While businesses do not need to be located directly on Route 66, they should demonstrate geographic or thematic connections to Route 66.
Applicant must be an owner of the eligible legacy business and 18 years of age or older.Eligible entities are those:That are small/independently owned legacy businesses or businesses in historic or old buildings.That are existing or new businesses seeking assistance to open a business in an existing vacant or underutilized Route 66 building ( for example, to complete a preservation or business plan) are eligible.That is not part of a national franchise.That is a registered business entity in good standing in the state or tribal land in which it was formed and the state or tribal land in which it does business (e.g., not an unincorporated contractor).That has a physical location (meaning “brick-and-mortar” location).That has a compelling and inspiring historical narrative or cultural significance to share.That contributes to the history and/or identity of its surrounding Route 66 community or neighborhood.Applicants that have received previous National Trust financial assistance are eligible provided that all grant requirements are current.No more than three grants will be awarded in any two-year period to a single grantee. Only one grant will be awarded per organization in any grant round. Only one grant will be awarded for a particular project phase.Eligible project types and expensesCapital Improvements:Restoration, rehabilitation, stabilization, and preservation of historic assets and buildings that help to tell a fuller story of Route 66. For example, interior or exterior painting projects to restore original paint colors.Bricks-and-mortar preservation, including but not limited to projects such as painting, repointing, carpentry, window restoration, sign restoration, awnings, cleaning of exterior facades, the creation of outdoor seating areas, ADA accessibility upgrades , and material testing to support the preservation of older buildings.Mechanical projects, including but not limited to replacing or installing new electrical and HVAC systems to improve energy efficiency.Restoration, rehabilitation, stabilization, and preservation of archaeological sites or cultural landscapes that help to tell a fuller story of Route 66.Purchase of equipment or furnishings.Innovations to improve sustainability of a building or attraction, such as reducing energy consumption or food waste.Planning Projects:Producing a historic structure report, preservation master plan, feasibility studies, environmental studies, energy audits, business plans, marketing plans, etc. for a historic business or historic building connected to the communities whose places and stories have been underrepresented in the historic preservation of Route 66.Obtaining the services of consultants with expertise in the areas such as preservation architecture and planning, business development, engineering and environmental studies, legal issues, fundraising and financial sustainability, organizational development, etc. to develop plans to further preservation efforts around the communities whose places and stories have been historically underrepresented in the historic preservation of Route 66.Marketing and Outreach Projects:Painting Route 66 murals to celebrate Route 66 in advance of the Centennial, especially murals that expand the story of Route 66 to include communities that have been historically underrepresented.Language translation of menus, websites, or other materials to be more inclusive and accessible to diverse local customers and audiences.Collaborating with artists, creatives, and subject matter experts to design and implement innovative exhibits and interpretative programs to elevate or illuminate the stories of communities along the Route 66 corridor that have been historically underrepresented.Designing, producing, and marketing printed materials or other media communications to draw attention to the stories of people along the broad Route 66 corridor, especially People of Color (including but not limited to indigenous peoples, Latine, Black Americans, Asian Americans, and others), women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ communities, and veterans.Web site development to aid preservation efforts, improve business operations, and support storytelling for the communities that have historically been underrepresented in the preservation of Route 66.Materials and services such as printing, photographs, telephone, and supplies.Grant funds can be used to launch new initiatives or to provide additional support to ongoing efforts.

Ineligibility

Digital-only businesses are not eligible (digital includes, without limitation, online and application-based businesses).Grant funds cannot be used directly or indirectly to influence a member of Congress to favor or oppose any legislation or appropriation.Ineligible Activities and ExpensesAcademic researchCosts associated with planning for or constructing new buildings or new structures, including the creation of monuments and statuesCosts associated with creation or maintenance of archival collections (books, documents, ephemera, etc.)Organizational overhead costs that exceed 10% of the project budgetCatering, food and beverage, entertainmentExpenses incurred prior to award date

Owners of small, independently owned legacy businesses in historic buildings along the Route 66 corridor.