Since 1976, the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) has been the primary source of funding for the nation’s historic preservation programs—preserving America’s rich heritage, cultures, and traditions with coordinated efforts at the federal, state, local, and private levels. Administered by the National Park Service, the HPF provides matching grants to State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs), which play a crucial role in supporting preservation efforts nationwide. HPF funding also supports fundamental preservation activities such as surveys, nomination of properties to the National Register of Historic Places, and public education.
Throughout the nation, the continued federal investment in HPF funding also enables transformative competitive grant programs that safeguard historically significant sites and enables project reviews required for Federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC) projects. We invite you to join us in urging Congress to support the reauthorization of the HPF and its funding, as well as bipartisan legislation to protect and enhance the federal HTC.
The President’s budget proposal for FY 2026 eliminates all funding for the Historic Preservation Fund, with the exception of HBCU-related projects. The HPF has generated substantial economic activity for communities of all sizes across the country and must have continued critical federal investment. Without this, many of the community-building and infrastructure initiatives that have helped preserve the places and stories for 250 years of our nation’s history would no longer be possible.
To help make the case for supporting the HPF, we’ve gathered a small sample of inspiring and creative examples of HPF grants and HTC projects from each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. that demonstrate the critical role the HPF plays in preserving our nation’s historic resources for future generations. You can also find more detail in our annual appropriations book about these programs, as well as recommended funding levels. Share your impact story and take action about the ways HPF grant projects are playing a vital role in your community and be a part of preserving this important preservation resource.
Select ‘Show More’ for more details about each project. Looking for more examples? Visit this map from the State, Tribal, Local, Plans & Grants Division Grant Programs of the National Park Service.
