The Preservation Budget: Select Preservation Priorities for FY 2026 Appropriations
The National Trust for Historic Preservation urgently calls for action as we release our annual report recommending funding levels for vital federal preservation programs. Historic preservation is not just about protecting our past—it is essential to preserving the very places, stories, and traditions that define us as a nation. Programs housed under the National Park Service like the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), Cultural Programs, and more, are vital resources in this effort, safeguarding America’s irreplaceable treasures and driving economic growth, community identity, and sustainability through the reuse of historic buildings.
As we look toward Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, we urge Congress to make critical investments in historic preservation programs. It is crucial that we communicate to policymakers the profound and lasting impact of historic preservation investments. Every dollar spent generates tangible returns—creating jobs, boosting local economies, and enhancing tourism. Preservation strengthens communities and preserves our cultural legacy for future generations.
With our nation’s 250th Anniversary approaching, we urgently call on Congress to invest $225 million in the HPF for FY2026. This funding supports State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, which are at the core of preservation efforts, providing essential resources for project reviews, technical assistance, and grant administration. Ensuring continued investment in competitive grants will safeguard historically significant sites, including those of underserved, diverse, and rural communities, affirming our commitment to preserving a more complete national history.
By advocating for robust funding for preservation, we ensure that we can continue to protect the places that tell the stories of our nation’s past, present, and future. Together, we can work toward safeguarding America’s heritage by protecting and enhancing these programs.
Related Testimony
- Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate (May 15, 2024, PDF)
- Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Committee on Appropriations, United States House of Representatives (May 10, 2024, PDF)
- National Trust Letter in Support of FY24 HPF Appropriations (January 25, 2024, PDF)
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