Supporting Historic Sacred Places
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception by Hirons
Who We Are
The National Fund for Sacred Places is a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Through financial and technical support, we support healthy congregations in historic sacred places and advance the common good.
What We Offer
The National Fund for Sacred Places provides matching grants of $50,000 to $500,000 to congregations undertaking significant capital projects at historic houses of worship, along with wraparound services including training, technical assistance, and planning support.
Apply For A Grant
Learn more about project eligibility, grant requirements, the application process, and how you can get started.
Photo Credit: 16th Street Baptist Church
Trinity Episcopal Church by Preservation South Carolina
Application Deadlines & Process
Applications for the National Fund for Sacred Places are accepted annually. Typically, 30-40 grantees that meet all of the eligibility requirements and exemplify the program criteria are accepted into the National Fund program in October. All application submission steps take place through our online grants management system, Foundant.
Application Launch
January 10, 2025
Applications through the Foundant grant system will be accepted from any eligible congregation.
Applications Due
March 3, 2025
Applications must be submitted in the Foundant grant system by 11:59 pm EST on March 3, 2025
Final Notifications
October 2025
Funding decisions will be made with the Advisory Committee, and grantees will be notified in October.
Current Grant Participants
Now in its ninth year, the National Fund is made possible by $64 million from the Indiana-based Lilly Endowment Inc., with additional funding from the Gerry Charitable Trust in 2019. Since 2016, the National Fund has awarded or pledged over $26 million to 138 community-serving congregations representing 26 faith traditions or denominations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. So far, this grantmaking has resulted in over $3 leveraged for every grant dollar invested in participating congregations. The National Fund administers monies through planning grants, wraparound training and technical assistance, and capital grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000.
Additional Funding & Resources
Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin courtesy Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the National Fund for Sacred Places, the types of projects we fund, or how you can get started? Click below to read answers to some of the most common questions.
Stories and Media Coverage
Read more about how the National Fund for Sacred Places is helping congregations around the country rehabilitate their sacred places.
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church by Luis P. Gutierrez