National Fund for Sacred Places Grant Program is sponsored by Partners for Sacred Places (in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation). Provides matching capital grants plus technical and planning support to historic houses of worship undertaking significant preservation projects.

Apply - National Fund For Sacred Places Frequently Asked Questions Interested in applying for a grant? Learn more about what the National Fund for Sacred Places offers, the eligibility requirements, how the program works, and how to apply.

San Xavier del Bac Mission by Mark Lipczynski To determine if your building, congregation, and project are eligible before applying to the National Fund for Sacred Places program, please review the eligibility requirements below or read our self-assessment questionnaire. Learn more about the types of projects we fund, what we are looking for when considering applicants, and more details about how the program works.

Funding and Program Details Application Deadlines & Process Applications for the National Fund for Sacred Places are accepted annually. Typically, 30-40 grantees that meet all of the eligibility requirements and exemplify the program criteria are accepted into the National Fund program in October. All application submission steps take place through our online grants management system, Foundant.

Applications through the Foundant grant system will be accepted from any eligible congregation. Applications must be submitted in the Foundant grant system by 11:59 pm EST on March 3, 2026 Final decisions will be made with the Advisory Committee , and grantees will be notified in October.

Apply on January 13, 2026 View the Application Information Webinar from January 22, 2026 VIEW SLIDES FROM 2026 WEBINAR WITH TIPS FOR APPLICANTS We are particularly interested in applicants from the following locations where we have not previously funded projects: Arkansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, West Virginia, U.S. Territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

There is a three-step process to receive a capital grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places program: 1. Application : A comprehensive application that captures information related to the National Fund’s six core criteria : Historic, Cultural, or Architectural Significance ; Communit y-Serving Congregations ; Project Scope and Need ; Fundraising Readiness ; H ealthy C ongregations; S trong A pplications.

The application is completed online, via a n online grants system called Foundant . 2. Additional Information Form : After staff review of the Applications , a limited number of congregations will be invited to submit a n Additional Information Form .

This form is designed to capture additional detailed information about the applicant’s architectural planning and any other information needed for funding decisions .

At this second and final stage in the application process, congregations may be asked to work with National Fund staff to refine their proposed project scope in accordance with grant guidelines ( applicants should demonstrate that urgent repair needs to the building envelope have already been identified by a building condition s assessment and addressed before proposing ADA or interior rehabilitation projects ) . 3.

Capital Grant Submission: After acceptance into the National Fund program, grantees receive technical assistance and project planning support from National Fund staff.

Once grantees have met several specific benchmarks in their planning process, they complete a Capital Grant Submission form providing permit-ready documentation (100% Construction Documents) or equivalent documentation that describes the scope of work supported by the National Fund grant and adheres to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation ; bids and selected contractors; budget; documentation that one quarter of the matching funds have been raised or pledged; and a fundraising plan for the remainder of the matching funds, if applicable.

After National Fund staff have approved the Capital Grant Submission, the first half of the grant is disbursed, and work may begin on the National Fund project. The final half of the grant is released once the project is completed and the finished work has been reviewed and approved by National Fund staff.

Additional Information Form Training and Program Orientation Intake Call & Quarterly Check-ins Planning Grant Submission Planning Grant Disbursement Technical Assistance Package Economic Halo Effect Study Consult with National Fund Staff on Project Progress Matching funds 25% raised Fundraising Plan for remainder Project Design Documents are permit-ready (100% Construction Documents) or equivalent documentation First 50% of Funds Disbursed Interim Report Submission 50% completion of construction Construction 100% Complete Matching Funds 100% Raised Construction and matching funds must be complete Final Disbursement of Grant Funds Find more information about other sources of funding, partner organizations, capital project planning tips, and more.

Urban Grace by Stuart Isett Frequently Asked Questions Have questions about the National Fund program, what we offer, or how to get started? Read our FAQs to find out answers to the most common questions. Stories and Media Coverage Read more about how the National Fund for Sacred Places is helping congregations around the country rehabilitate their sacred places.

Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church by Luis P. Gutierrez Partners for Sacred Places Newsletter Partners for Sacred Places helps congregations and others with a stake in older religious properties make the most of them as civic assets in ways that benefit people of all faiths and of no faith. We are national, nonsectarian, and not-for-profit.

National Trust for Historic Preservation Newsletter A privately funded nonprofit organization, the National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America’s historic sites; tell the full American story; build stronger communities; and invest in preservation’s future.

The National Fund for Sacred Places was established in 2016 to provide financial and technical support for community-serving historic houses of worship across America.

The National Fund is funded by $64 million from the Indiana-based Lilly Endowment Inc. Partners for Sacred Places helps congregations and others with a stake in older religious properties make the most of them as civic assets in ways that benefit people of all faiths and of no faith. Learn more at sacredplaces. org .

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization, protects significant places representing our diverse cultural experience by taking direct action and inspiring broad public support. Learn more at savingplaces. org .

Please note: In these materials, the term “congregation” is used to refer to the worshipping body or faith community of any religion including those that do not identify with this term (such as mosques/masjid). The National Fund for Sacred Places accepts applications from any faith tradition and seeks to provide inclusive programming and resources across religions.