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In October 2026, The National Park Services announced its awards for the African American Civil Rights Preservation and History Grants and the History of Equal Rights Grants. Both programs are funded by the Historic Preservation Fund and serve as critical sources of support for historic preservation projects across the United States.

In 2026 the African American Civil Rights Preservation and History Grants provided $21.8 million to fund 54 projects in 18 states. Among the recipients are one National Trust Historic Site, four sites previously included on the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list (11 Most), and nine sites that have received support from the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (AACHAF).

• Drayton Hall Preservation Trust (SC, National Trust Historic Site)
• Ben Moore Hotel, (AL, 11 Most 2026)
• Georgia B. Williams Nursing Home (GA, 11 Most, 2021)
• Pierce Chapel African Cemetery (GA, 11 Most 2023)
• Brown Chapel AME (AL, AACHAF/11 Most 2022)
• The Forum (IL, AACHAF)
• Drew Rosenwald School (MS, AACHAF)
• Jackson State University (MS, AACHAF)
• Mississippi Freedom Houses (MS, AACHAF)
• Neosha Colored School (MS, AACHAF)
• Taveau Church (SC, AACHAF)
• Shiloh Baptist Church (SC, AACHAF)
• Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor (AACHAF)

In 2026, the History of Equal Rights Grants provided $10 million to fund 14 projects in 10 states. Among the recipients are two sites from the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, one of which also received support from the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.

• Swansea Friends Meeting House (MA, 11 Most 2026)
• Hotel Casa Blanca (MI, AACHAF/11 Most 2025)

This week, the National Trust for Historic Preservation submitted testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies outlining our fiscal year 2027 funding recommendations.

Our testimony urges Congress to provide $250 million for the Historic Preservation Fund, alongside robust funding for National Park Service cultural programs, both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). It emphasizes the economic, cultural, and community benefits of historic preservation, highlights the importance of sustained investment in preservation programs and staffing, and calls for timely distribution of funds to avoid disruptions. It also addresses deferred maintenance challenges within the National Park System and underscores the need to protect and enhance programs that preserve and interpret the nation’s historic and cultural resources.

Download the full testimony (PDF).

A broad coalition of preservation organizations, businesses, agencies, and community partners has signed a national letter urging Congress to pass the Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act. Submitted to the House Committee on Natural Resources on November 5, the letter calls for renewing and strengthening federal investment in the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF).

More than 300 signatories representing 46 states and the District of Columbia—including national and local preservation groups, State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and other community-based partners—demonstrate widespread, nationwide support for stable long-term preservation funding.

For nearly 50 years, the HPF has been the primary federal source supporting State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, competitive grant programs, and local preservation and revitalization efforts. With its authorization having expired in 2024, swift congressional action is critical to ensure communities can continue this work.

The letter highlights strong bipartisan support for the Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3418), introduced by Representatives Mike Turner (R-OH) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM). The bill would reauthorize the HPF for 10 years and increase its annual authorized deposit from $150 million to $250 million to better meet current preservation needs.

Organizations that missed the initial deadline can still add their names as signatures continue to be collected. The National Trust will remain fully engaged and continue advocating for full reauthorization as Congress considers this essential legislation. You can access the full letter here.

This month, members of the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), which officially expired at the end of September 2023, but was granted a year-long extension to September 2024.

The legislation, the Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3418), led by Representatives Mike Turner (OH-10) and Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), with support from Representatives Mike Carey (OH-15) and Sara Elfreth (NJ-03), would extend the program for an additional 10 years.

The HPF remains the cornerstone of federal investment in the preservation of historic sites and cultural resources nationwide. Read more about the legislation here.

In connection with the legislation’s introduction, the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus also hosted its annual Preservation Month Congressional Briefing on May 13.

Organized by Preservation Action in partnership with national preservation organizations, the briefing provided an opportunity for congressional staff to learn more about federal preservation programs and legislative priorities.

The National Trust’s Government Relations team participated on the panel alongside representatives from the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO), National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO), National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), and PlaceEconomics.

These efforts reflect strong bipartisan support for preservation as a national priority.

As the HPF reauthorization legislation advances, the National Trust will continue to advocate for a long-term, fully funded preservation program that supports communities in every corner of the country.

We encourage advocates to contact their members of Congress to express support for this critical bill and to share the local impact of the Historic Preservation Fund.