Preserving Black Churches is a project of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Annual grants from the Preserving Black Churches program are intended to preserve historic Black houses of worship—either with active congregations and non-active congregations—and advance ongoing preservation activities while strengthening capacity for historic congregations and preservation and community organizations to steward, manage, and better utilize their historic structures.

Grants range from $50,000 to $500,000. Applicants may apply for one of five Project Categories: Capital Projects, Endowment and Financial Sustainability, Organizational Capacity and Operations, Programming and Interpretation, or Project Planning.

All letters of intent and applications must be submitted through the National Trust’s online grant application system by the deadline, or they will not be reviewed. Requests for funding and additional information submitted by letter, email, or phone will not be reviewed.

The application contains approximately 50 questions about your church or institutional entity, project, and the site's historical significance. You will also need to upload hi-res photos and a budget related to your project. Each funding category may require additional supporting information. Scroll down to read more about eligible projects.

Complete applications must be submitted by October 4th, 2024. Review of all submitted applications will occur by December. All applicants will be notified of their application status throughout the review process, and staff members may engage with applicants and offer technical assistance.

Historic Black Churches

For this grant, eligible applicants are entities representing Historic Black Churches. For the purposes of this grant Historic Black Churches are defined below:

Historic Buildings

• Religious historic buildings built and erected by Black congregations and continuously occupied by active Black congregations. Buildings must be no less than 50 years old.
• Religious historic buildings designed and/or constructed by Black architects/builders, currently occupied by active Black congregations, or repurposed for Arts, Culture, Community, and Social Justice programs. Buildings must be no less than 50 years old.
• Religious historic buildings not originally built by or for Black congregations, but continuously occupied by an active Black congregation for at least 50 years.

Congregations

• Active historic Black congregations that are a part of historic Black religious denominations including, but not limited to African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AMEZ), the Baptist Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME), Church of God in Christ (COGIC), Non-denominational.
• Active historic Black congregations that are a part of traditional religious denominations including, but not limited to the Baptist Church, Episcopal Church, Lutheran Church, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church, Catholic Church, Non-denominational.
• Non-Christian Black congregations and churches* (non-Christian churches will be funded on a case-by-case basis in consultation with Lilly Endowment Inc.).

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants include:

• Historic Black Churches with active and non-active congregations. Active congregations are those which hold regular worship services and public programming in historic religious buildings (defined above).
• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations stewarding non-active Historic Black Church buildings reused and repurposed for community, programmatic, and interpretive uses are eligible to apply, including statewide and local preservation organizations, churches, accredited private colleges or universities, historic sites, museums, historical societies, and genealogical associations.
• Public agencies: State or local agencies including boards, commissions, departments, accredited public colleges or universities, offices, agencies, public bodies, or political subdivisions of the state or of a county or municipality. Examples include state historic preservation offices, city and county preservation offices and planning departments, state and local commissions focused on different aspects of heritage, and publicly owned historic sites and museums.

Eligible applicants can submit one Letter of Intent (LOI) application under each Project Category (see below). However, only one type of grant will be advanced during each grant round dependent on competitiveness.

Applicants that have received previous National Trust or Action Fund financial assistance are eligible for a Preserving Black Churches grant provided that all grant requirements are current.

Applicants that have previously been awarded grants through the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund’s National Grant Program, Conserving Black Modernism, or HBCU Stewardship Initiative are eligible to apply for a grant from the Preserving Black Churches program. However, the existing grantee must submit the application under a different funding category than previously awarded. For example, a National Grant Program grant recipient of Capital Projects funding is not eligible to apply to Preserving Black Churches for a Capital Project grant, and should apply through a new funding category such as Project Planning, etc.

Applicants that have previously received awards from the National Fund for Sacred Places are eligible to apply for a grant from the Preserving Black Churches program. However, Preserving Black Churches funding cannot be used to meet match requirements of National Fund for Sacred Places.

The minimum award amount for a Preserving Black Churches grant is $50,000 and the maximum amount is $500,000. Actual award amounts will fall within that range depending on the project category (See below, under Project Categories). Requests below the minimum amount are ineligible and will not be considered for funding.

Matching Requirements

• Grants from Preserving Black Churches may be used to fund up to 100% of the proposed project.
• Matching funds are not required for the following funding categories: Capital Projects, Project Planning, Programming and Interpretation, and Organizational Capacity Building and Operations. Projects in these categories that leverage additional investments are encouraged.
• Matching funds are required for the Endowment and Financial Sustainability funding category. Existing funding received from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund's National Grant Program, Conserving Black Modernism and the HBCU Stewardship Initiative cannot be used as match for the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund’s Preserving Black Churches Endowment and Financial Sustainability grants.

Grant Conditions

The following grant conditions apply:

• If the project involves a property, the grant recipient must either own the property or have a written agreement with the property owner stating that the grantee has permission to undertake the grant-funded project.
• Grants or any matching funds cannot be used directly or indirectly to influence a member of Congress to favor or oppose any legislation or appropriation.
• Any documents or plans for preservation work that result from the project must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
• Any construction projects must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
• Unless prior written approval of a bid waiver is obtained from the National Trust, at least three (3) competitive bids/quotes must be obtained for any procurement of services that exceed $50,000. This provision applies only to portions of the project supported by National Trust or Action Fund grant funds.
• Grant recipients must include appropriate acknowledgement of the National Trust, the Action Fund, and its philanthropic partners' financial support in all printed materials generated for the project. As part of the grant agreement, a toolkit for promoting the grant will be provided to each grantee.
• Consultants must be approved by the National Trust before grant funds are disbursed. Board members of the applicant organization cannot serve as consultants unless appropriate conflict of interest procedures are followed and documented.
• Grant recipients are required to sign a contract agreeing to the conditions of the program.
• Upon the project’s completion, a final narrative report and financial accounting of the expenditure of the grants must be submitted via the online grant system. If the project is not completed in accordance with the contract, the grant funds must be returned.
• Applicants must agree not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. This obligation also extends to disabled veterans, Vietnam-era veterans, and persons with disabilities.
• Additional grant conditions may be required by the National Trust’s philanthropic partners. They will be outlined in the grant contract.

Project Categories

Grant awards may be made for activities and projects in the following five categories: Capital Projects, Endowment and Financial Sustainability, Organizational Capacity and Operations, Programming and Interpretation, or Project Planning.

Capital Projects

• Funding will be given for the restoration, rehabilitation, stabilization, preservation of historic buildings, parsonages, annex and educational buildings attached or directly adjacent to the historic Black church, including bricks-and-mortar construction, construction documents and planning costs.
• Funding will be given for the restoration, rehabilitation, preservation of interior sanctuary features such as historic church pews, pulpits, altars, baptismal fonts and pools.
• Historic Black churches with active congregations can apply for funding up to $500,000 and can direct up to 15% of awarded grant funds for construction planning and documents. 501(c)(3) and other non-profit organizations established by (or affiliated with an active congregation) with a mission to preserve a historic Black church with an active congregation are also eligible under this category.
• 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Organizations and Public Agencies owning or leasing long-term historic Black churches with non-active congregations and repurposed for public programming can apply for funding up to $250,000 and can direct up to 15% of awarded grant funds for construction planning and documents.
• Eligible applicants can direct up to 10% of awarded funds for indirect support and costs associated with project management.
• Recipients of Capital Project grants must have all pre-development, planning and construction documents reviewed and approved by Action Fund staff, before awarded funds are released.
• Capital Projects must be completed within 24 months of the initial grant disbursement date. Requests for extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Matching funds are not required, but projects that are leveraging additional investments are encouraged.

Endowment and Financial Sustainability

• Active Black Churches fundraising to increase existing or establish new preservation endowments for historic Black church buildings, with active congregations, to support activities such as cyclical maintenance of the building and grounds, insurance services, and other activities related to the perpetual stewardship of the structure.
• For existing endowments, eligible applicants invited to submit a grant application must show proof of existing principal endowment funds equal to or greater than the grant request.
• For proposed new endowments, eligible applicants must provide either a recently developed fundraising/capital campaign plan or a list of pledged gifts. Grant funds awarded can be used to leverage additional fundraising dollars.
• Eligible applicants should have completed a comprehensive restoration or rehabilitation of a historic church building within the last 10 years or are advancing an active restoration or rehabilitation project to be completed which within the next two years at the time of application.
• Awarded funds must be invested into a preservation endowment managed by a reputable financial institution and proof of endowment management is required. Endowment grants must be invested by the financial management firm for a period of three years before an annual draw is taken. Annual draws should not be greater than 5% of the principal endowment.
• Awarded grant funds will not be provided until proof of 1:1 match is secured. For example, a $200,000 grant must be matched with at least $200,000 of new investment to establish an endowment or to increase an existing endowment.
• Other non-profit organizations established by, or affiliated with an active congregation, are eligible to apply. The nonprofit must have an organizational mission and leadership role in stewarding a historic Black church.
• Grant funds cannot be used for active capital projects, planning, programming, indirect support, or operational needs.
• Existing funding received from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Grant Program cannot be used as a match for the Preserving Black Churches Endowment and Financial Sustainability grants.
• Grants must be completed within three years of the initial grant disbursement date. Requests for extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Endowments can be funded up to $500,000 with a 1:1 match.

Organizational Capacity and Operations

• Creation of new full-time staff, or existing part time staff to full-time positions which directly support the preservation and stewardship of historic Black church structures and advances preservation priorities: preservation planning, project management, construction management, interpretation, etc. Clergy and religious ministry staff positions are ineligible.
• Funds can be used to support salaries and benefits for grant-supported staff.
• Historic Black churches with active congregations can apply for funding up to $300,000 for a three-year period. 501(c)(3) and other non-profit organizations established by (or affiliated with an active congregation) with a mission to preserve a historic Black church are eligible under this category.
• Awarded funds cannot be used for indirect support and overhead costs.
• Recipients of grants to hire new staff, or to increase preservation leadership staff from part-time to full-time, will have three years to complete their project.
• Matching funds are not required, but projects that are leveraging additional investments are encouraged.

Programming and Interpretation

• Designing and implementing innovative interpretive programs for historic Black Churches.
• Designing and implementing new art and culturally based programming for historic Black Churches.
• Collaborating with artists, creatives, and scholars to create and/or re-imagine interpretation and public programming that elevates the significance of the historic Black church, legacy, and contributions to the community, and that advances new approaches to storytelling and public education.
• Eligible Applicants can apply for funding up to $100,000 and can direct up to 10% of awarded funds for indirect support and overhead costs associated with project management.
• Grants must be completed within one year of the initial grant disbursement date. Requests for extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Matching funds are not required, but projects that are leveraging additional investments are encouraged.

Project Planning

• Obtaining the services of consultants with expertise in the areas such as preservation, business, strategic, fundraising, interpretation, engineering, energy retrofitting, ADA accessibility, landscape architecture, cemetery conservation, environmental studies, legal issues, organizational development, education, and trainings, etc. to develop plans for implementation by organization.
• Development of viable business plans for preservation organizations, pre-development planning activities, feasibility studies for market-driven revitalization projects, preservation plans, engineering and environmental studies, property condition assessment reports with cost analysis, historic structures reports, etc.
• Development of planning documents, guides, and assessment studies for historic Black cemeteries is eligible, but the cemeteries must be owned by and contiguously connected to a historic Black church.
• Obtaining the services of consultants to complete nominations for historical designation of historic Black Churches leading to listing on the National Register of Historic Places, designation as National Historic Landmarks and/or local landmarks.
• Eligible Applicants can apply for funding up to $100,000 and can direct up to 10% of awarded funds for indirect support and overhead costs associated with project management.
• Grants must be completed within 1 year of the initial grant disbursement date. Requests for extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Matching funds are not required, but projects that are leveraging additional investments are encouraged.

Ineligible Activities and Expenses

• Costs associated with planning for or constructing new buildings or structures, monuments and statues, and parking lots or re-pavement.
• Capital Projects involving cemetery restoration.
• Catering, entertainment, food, and beverage costs.
• Expenses incurred prior to the grant award date.
• Sound and AV equipment.
• Academic research (i.e., thesis, dissertation, genealogical research, published work) and conservation of records and archival materials.
• Consultant services (except as noted above) including media and marketing.
• Conferences and educational workshops.
• Acquisition of property or capital projects completed prior to grant submission.
• Mortgages or debt repayment.

Criteria

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund will select grant recipients by considering, among other points, the following criteria:

• The historic significance of the property to be assisted and its association to African American cultural heritage.
• The extent to which the requested assistance will make a difference in preserving, restoring, interpreting, or managing the historic property or site, including what other funds might be leveraged by an existing award.
• The level of local support for the project, demonstrated through letters of support and information collected on the full application such as site visitation information, volunteer statistics, and other related metrics.
• The potential of the project to be a catalyst for further positive action to benefit other historic properties, neighborhoods, or communities.
• The adequacy of plans and resources for future maintenance of the property or the continuation of activity for which grant support is requested.
• The ability and willingness of the applicant to carry out the proposed plans or activity within the project’s time frame if awarded.
• The amount of additional resources being brought to the project, either through additional cash investments or donated materials and services.

Application

Access the Preserving Black Churches application form.

You will be taken to the National Trust grants application system where you will need to create a user profile for your organization. If your organization has applied for a grant previously, you will sign into your existing organization profile. If you need assistance using the grants application system, this video can be useful.

If you have questions, please email us at actionfundgrants@savingplaces.org.