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, 18-20 congregations that meet all of the eligibility requirements and exemplify the core criteria are awarded entry into the program in October. All application submission steps take place through our online grants management system, Foundant.
Letter of Intent Launched
January 9, 2024
Letters of Intent through the Foundant grant system will be accepted from any eligible congregation.
The National Fund for Sacred Places is not currently accepting LOIs. Please check back in January 2025.
Full Application Notifications
June 2024
After careful review, a select number of congregations will be invited to complete a full application through the Foundant grant system. Full applications will be due in July.
Final Notifications
October 2024
Final decisions will be made with the Advisory Committee, and congregations will be notified in October.
Current Grant Participants
Now in its ninth year, the National Fund is made possible by $40 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 $21.5 million to 114 community-serving congregations representing 25 different faith traditions or denominations in 39 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