Grant Programs Used on Cape Cod

Updated April 2006

Numerous Cape towns and organizations have supported their historic preservation efforts with grants. Funds are available for a wide variety of programs. The information below describes some grant programs that have been used on the Cape, as well as links to other Web sites with historic preservation grant information.

State Programs:

Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund (MPPF) is a matching-grant program that supports preservation of historic properties owned by municipalities and nonprofit organizations. It is administered by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. MPPF has funded historic renovation or "bricks and mortar" projects in Provincetown, Yarmouth, Falmouth, and Sandwich. Grants are also available for pre-development projects and acquisition projects. (See the Massachusetts Historical Commission site; 617-727-8470.)
Historic Landscape Preservation Grant Program is a matching-grant program available to Massachusetts cities and towns for use in preserving significant historic landscapes. The program is managed by the Massachusetts Department Conservation and Recreation. Falmouth has received funds through this program for two separate historic landscape projects. Yarmouth also received technical assistance for its work on the town common along Route 6A. (See the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation - Historic Landscape Preservation Grant Program site; 617-626-1250.)
Massachusetts Historical Commission's Survey and Planning Grant is a program available to towns to fund inventories of historic properties and preservation planning efforts. (See the Massachusetts Historical Commission site; 617-727-8470.)
Massachusetts Documentary Heritage Grant Program focuses on the preservation of historic records. It is administered by the Massachusetts Historical Records Advisory Board; contact State Archivist Bill Milhomme. (See the Massachusetts Historical Records Advisory Board site; 617-727-2816 ext. 257.)
Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities offers exhibition grants and media grants that can be used to educate people about historic preservation efforts and significant properties. (See the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities site; 413-584-8440 or 617-923-1678.)
Massachusetts Cultural Council offers preservation-related grants through its folk arts and heritage program, and traditional arts apprenticeships program. (See the Massachusetts Cultural Council site; 617-727-3668.)

Federal Programs:

The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers grants through the Johanna Favrot Fund and the Preservation Services Fund. Eligible grant activities range from consultant services, to design and production of communications materials, to preservation conferences, workshops, and preservation education programs. (See the National Trust for Historic Preservation site; 202-588-6000.)
The National Endowment for the Humanities offers implementation grants for museums and historical organizations; planning grants for museums, libraries and special projects; preservation assistance grants; and grants for stabilizing humanities collections. (See the National Endowment for the Humanities site; 800-NEH-1121 or 202-606-8400.
The Save America's Treasures Program offers grants for preservation of nationally significant historic resources. (See the Save America's Treasures site; 202-588-6202 or 877-873-2787.)
The Advisory Council for Historic Preservation maintains a site that provides information on historic preservation grant programs. (See the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation - Sources of Financial Assistance for Historic Preservation Projects site; 202-606-8503.)

Foundations:

Tourism Cares for Tomorrow makes grants to nonprofit organizations to protect, restore, and conserve sites of exceptional natural, cultural, or historic significance; to increase the traveling public's awareness of involvement in conservation efforts; and/or to promote conservation education within local host communities and to the traveling public. The 2006 deadlines were/are March 1, June 30, and November 1.
Getty Grant Program: Architectural Conservation Grant Program supports organizations throughout the world in their efforts to preserve buildings or sites of outstanding architectural, historical, and cultural significance. Planning Grants assist in the initial development of an overall architectural conservation plan. Support is also available on a selective basis for the development of archaeological site management plans. Implementation Grants assist in the actual conservation of a building's historic structure and fabric.
The 1772 Foundation provides grants to non-profit organizations working to preserve and restore historic buildings related to farming, industrial development, transportation, and other unusual historical structures. Grants range from roughly $15,000 to $50,000. Letters of inquiry can be mailed to the foundation throughout the year.
Boston Foundation for Architecture (617-951-1433 ext. 221) offers grants for public-education programs related to planning, design and the built environment in Massachusetts. The Foundation makes grants primarily to individual educators, community groups, educational institutions, and other non-profit organizations and individuals.

Local/Regional Programs:

The Cape Cod Economic Development Council's Cape & Islands License Plate Grant Program (508-362-8051) has funded several historic preservation efforts linked to strengthening the Cape's year-round economy.
The Community Foundation of Cape Cod (800-947-2322, 508-790-3040) manages more that 120 individual charitable funds, many of which are set up by donors to address specific issues, including historic preservation and related programs.

Return to the CCC Historic Preservation Home Page