2026 Historic Preservation Fund Pass-Through Grants

2026 Historic Preservation Fund Pass-Through Grants is sponsored by North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). This federal matching grant program, funded through the National Park Service and passed through the NC SHPO, supports local historic preservation programs and projects in Certified Local Governments (CLGs) in North Carolina.

State Historic Preservation Office # Office of Archives and History # North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources # INSTRUCTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETING THE HISTORIC # PRESERVATION FUND CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT GRANT APPLICATION Applications must be received by 11:59 p. m.

on Thursday , April 30, 202 6 The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) is a federal matching grant program that supports state and local preservation programs and projects. HPF funds are made available to the State Historic Preservation Office (HPO) through the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior and are passed through to Certified Local Governments (CLGs).

Eligible projects include, National Register nominations, local preservation design standards , survey publication manuscripts, preservation plan s, architectural and archaeological surveys educational activities related to historic preservation or archaeology , and pre -development planning and restoration of National Register -listed properties owned by the local government or by a not -for -profit or educational institution within the jurisdiction of the CLG (privately -owned buildings are not eligible) .

All projects must address one or more goals in North Carolina's historic preservation plan . A copy of the goals is included . Applications must be received by Thursday , April 30, 202 6.

Depending on federal appropriation timing, a wards should be announced in summer of 20 26. All funded projects should be completed no later than February 2 9, 202 8. Total funding for CLG pass -through grants for local projects in 202 6 is estimated to be approximately $140,000 , depending on Congressional action.

This amount is at least ten percent of the estimated 202 6 HPF allocation to North Carolina and is reserved for projects in municipalities and counties that participate in the CLG program, i n accordance with federal requirements . Funds for successful applicants will be available on a reimbursement basis. A list of CLGs is attached.

Unfortunately , f unds for non -CLG projects are not available. ** Before submitting an application, p otential applicants must speak with a member of the HPO staff to discuss their proposed project . Please contact HPO staff by the middle of March 202 6 to allow time to develop a feasible project along with a realistic scope of work and budget .

A site visit may be necessary . S taff contact information can be found on > The North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office receives federal funds from the National Park > Service, U. S.

Department of the Interior. Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly > prohibit unlawful discrimination in federally assisted departmental programs on the basis race, color, > national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), age, disability, sexual > orientation, or genetic information in its federally assisted programs.

Any person who believes he or > she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of > federal assistance should contact the Equal Opportunity Program Office, U.S. Department of the > Interior, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW MS 2505, Washington, D. C. 20240; visit > https://www.

doi. gov/pmb/eeo or phone (202) 354 -1871. CLGs apply directly to the HPO.

Nonprofit s and educational institution s may initiate an application for a project in a CLG’s jurisdiction but must submit the application to the local preservation commission which will, in turn, submit the application to the HPO.

The nonprofit or educational institution should contact the local CLG staff as soon as possible , to discuss the project and should submit the application to the local commission as recommended , to allow time for the commission and governing board to evaluate the application and submit it with comments to the HPO by the April 30, 202 6, deadline.

If a grant is awarded for the project, the CLG will be the grant recipient and will administer the grant project , even if the nonprofit or educational institution is providing the local matching funds . • Grant recipients must sign a grant contract and follow state and federal procurement requirements before selecting a consultant to carry out project activities.

Professional qualifications of the staff, consultants, or principal investigators undertaking grant projects must meet applicable minimum federal professional qualifications in 36 CFR 61. • Disbursement of grant funds is on a cost reimbursement basis .

In other words, the grant recipient pays the expenses and then requests reimbursement from the HPO on a percentage basis during the project or for the full grant amount at the end of the project. • Grant funds generally pay up to sixty percent (60%) of total project costs. The nonfederal local matching share should pay forty percent (40%) of total project costs.

Please contact the grants coordinator if your CLG has a project in mind but may not be able to match at • All projects must address one or more of the goals in North Carolina's historic preservation plan . Reference to specific goals and objectives and a statement of how the project will accomplish them must be included in the abstract of the project . The goals are attached .

• All federal grant applications must include a n Equal Opportunity Statement form, which must be completed and returned with the application. Applications without this form will not be considered for funding. • Activities funded under this program will be performed in compliance with the applicable Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation https://www.

nps. gov/subjects/historicpreservation/standards. htm and shall be conducted under the supervision of the State Historic Preservation Office .

• Federal and state standards, accounting procedures, and reporting requirements apply to the grant funds and matching share. The grants are subject to the requirements of North Carolina General Statute 143 C-6-21 through 143C -6-23. Page 3 of 5 All proposals will be reviewed and evaluated based the following: • Does the project address one or more goals in North Carolina’s historic preservation plan?

• Soundness of project application, including budget, clarity, feasibility, local commitment, and ability of the applicant to carry out the project successfully . • Comprehensive planning considerations . • Number and quality of resources in project area .

Eligible applicants are CLG governing boards and CLG historic preservation commissions. A list of current CLGs can be found here. About Historic Preservation Commissions | NC HPO .

Green pins on the map denote CLGs. Nonprofit s and educational institutions may propose an application for a CLG grant, but must submit the application through the CLG commission , and the CLG w ould be Architectural/Archeological Survey and National Register Nominations .

Consideration for funding will be given to projects for comprehensive architectural or archaeological surveys and to nominations of eligible properties or districts to the National Register of Historic Places. Preparation of publishable manuscripts from approved architectural surveys are also eligible for consideration.

The publication of survey books, museum exhibits, signage, and research are not Preservation Planning and Design Standards . Historic preservation plans and creating/updating design standards are eligible projects . Predevelopment projects for properties listed in the National Register may include archaeological investigations, architectural plans and specifications, engineering services, or feasibility studies for restoration.

Development projects for properties listed in the National Register may include archaeological excavations or restoration/rehabilitation of historic resources. Structures or sites must be listed in the Natio nal Register of Historic Places (either individually or as a contributing property within a National Register historic district ) and be owned by the local government, a not -for -profit, or an educational institution .

Preservation Agreements are required for all grant -assisted development projects. Deed Covenants a re required on an escalating scale for development grants in excess of $10,000 and a re recorded with the deed to the property. Public Education and Training workshops and education programs pertaining to historic preservation, archaeology, or for a historic preservation commission.

Projects in CLG Areas : CLGs apply directly to the HPO. A nonprofit or educational institution that wishes to apply for a project in a CLG’s jurisdiction must work through the CLG governing board which , in turn, submit s the application to the HPO.

The nonprofit or educational institution should contact the local CLG staff as soon as possible , to discuss the project and should submit Page 4 of 5 the application to the local commission as recommended , to allow time for the commission to evaluate the application and submit it with comments to the HPO by the April 30, 202 6, deadline.

If a grant is awarded for the project, the CLG will be the grant recipient and will administer the grant project. Complete and sign both the application and the Equal Opportunity Statement and e mail to : Michele Patterson , Grants Coordinator , State Historic Preservation Office : michele. patterson.

mccabe@dncr. nc. gov ; 919 -814 -6582 .

You should receive email confirmation within 48 hours, if not, please contact the Grants Coordinator to make sure that your application ** Please do not send application s through the mail. Grant awards should be announced in the summer of 202 6. Please note that we cannot announce grants until federal funds are made available to the HPO .

This could postpone the announcement until later in 202 6. Upon award , t he grant recipient and the Office of Archives and History will sign a grant contract. The grant recipient will then procure , with the assistance of the HPO, a consultant or principal investigator following federal procurement requirements and execute a project contract .

The HPO will prepare all contract documents and will ensure that all services and products meet federal and state standards, while the grant recipient will coordinate and administer the grant project and will be responsible for accounting and reporting requirements . All projects should be under way by the fall of 20 26. Projects should be completed by February 2 9, 202 8.

Examples of recent HPF matching grants to CLGs include: • A $ 24,000 grant to support an architectural survey of a large neighborhood . • A $24,000 grant for a National Register historic district update and boundary expansion . • A $ 22,000 grant to update design standards for a historic preservation commission .

• A $15,000 grant to prepare a conditions assessment of a historic building . • A $ 14 ,000 grant to prepare a National Register nomination for a downtown historic district. • A $ 12,000 grant to conduct a historic structure report.

• A $11,000 grant for repairs of a historic house museum. • A $7,000 grant for workshops teaching proper cemetery maintenance and headstone repair . • A $ 6,000 grant for a ground penetrating radar (G PR) investigation of a National Register - • A $ 5,000 grant for a window repair workshop.

• A $4,500 to create a virtual walking tour of a historic district. • A $2,900 grant to conduct a public workshop at a historic cemetery to demonstrate proper gravestone repair . Page 5 of 5 Educational Programs, Preservation Planning, and Questions about HPF Grant Applications Michele Patterson McCabe, 919 -814 -6582; michele.

patterson. mccabe@dncr. nc.

gov Architectural Surveys, Survey Updates, Survey Manuscripts (Piedmont) Elizabeth King , 919 -814 -65 80 ; elizabeth. king@dncr. nc.

gov (East) Lauren Poole, 252 -830 -6580 x22 7; lauren. poole@dncr. nc.

gov (West) Hannah Beckman -Black 828 -250 -3112 ; hannah. beckman@dncr. nc.

gov Nominations to the National Register (Piedmont) Jeff Smith , 919 -814 -6698 ; jeff. smith@dncr. nc.

gov (East) Lauren Poole, 252 -830 -6580 x227 ; lauren. poole@dncr. nc.

gov (West) Hannah Beckman -Black 828 -250 -3112; hannah. beckman@dncr. nc.

gov Kristi Brantley, 919 -814 -6576 ; kristi. brantley@ dncr. nc .

gov Michele McCabe , 919 -814 -658 2; michele. patterson. mccabe@dncr.

nc. gov Chris Southerly, 919 -810 -0976; chris. southerly@dncr.

nc. gov (West) Dylan Clark, 828 -250 -3109; dylan. clark@dncr.

nc. gov (Cemeteries) Melissa Timo, 919 -814 -6562; melissa. time@dncr.

nc. gov Predevelopment and Development (Piedmont) Brett Sturm 919 -814 -658 9; brett. sturm@dncr.

nc. gov (East) Reid Thomas , 252 -830 -6580 x22 2; reid. thomas@dncr.

nc. gov (West) Jennifer Cathey 828 -250 -3113 ; jennifer. cathey@dncr.

nc. gov