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Interested in applying for a grant? Learn more about what the National Fund for Sacred Places offers, the eligibility requirements, how the program works, and how to apply.

San Xavier del Bac Mission by Mark Lipczynski

Am I Eligible?

To determine if your building, congregation, and project are eligible before applying to the National Fund for Sacred Places program, please review the eligibility requirements below or read our self-assessment questionnaire.
Eligibility Guidelines

What We Offer

Learn more about the types of projects we fund, what we are looking for when considering applicants, and more details about how the program works.
Funding and Program Details

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

Final decisions will be made with the Advisory Committee, and grantees will be notified in October.

Apply Now!
Register for the February 6, 2025 Application Information Webinar
VIEW SLIDES FROM 2024 WEBINAR WITH TIPS FOR APPLICANTS

We are particularly interested in applicants from the following locations where we have not previously funded projects: Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, U.S. Territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

Application Process

There is a three-step process to receive a capital grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places program:

1. Application: A comprehensive application that captures information related to the National Fund’s six core criteria: Historic, Cultural, or Architectural Significance; Community-Serving Congregations; Project Scope and Need; Fundraising Readiness; Healthy Congregations; Strong Applications. The application is completed online, via an online grants system called Foundant. 

2.  Additional Information Form: After staff review of the Applications, a limited number of congregations will be invited to submit an Additional Information Form. This form is designed to capture additional detailed information about the applicant’s architectural planning and any other information needed for funding decisions. At this second and final stage in the application process, congregations may be asked to work with National Fund staff to refine their proposed project scope in accordance with grant guidelines (applicants should demonstrate that urgent repair needs to the building envelope have already been identified by a building conditions assessment and addressed before proposing ADA or interior rehabilitation projects).

3. Capital Grant Submission: After acceptance into the National Fund program, grantees receive technical assistance and project planning support from National Fund staff. Once grantees have met several specific benchmarks in their planning process, they complete a Capital Grant Submission form providing permit-ready documentation (100% Construction Documents) or equivalent documentation that describes the scope of work supported by the National Fund grant and adheres to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation; bids and selected contractors; budget; documentation that one quarter of the matching funds have been raised or pledged; and a fundraising plan for the remainder of the matching funds, if applicable. After National Fund staff have approved the Capital Grant Submission, the first half of the grant is disbursed, and work may begin on the National Fund project. The final half of the grant is released once the project is completed and the finished work has been reviewed and approved by National Fund staff.

Application

Application

Additional Information Form

Program

Training and Program Orientation

Intake Call & Quarterly Check-ins

Planning Grant Submission

Planning Grant Disbursement

Technical Assistance Package

  • Capital Campaign Support
  • Communications Support
  • Economic Halo Effect Study
  • Community Engagement

Capital Grant Request

Consult with National Fund Staff on Project Progress

Capital Grant Submission

  • Matching funds 25% raised
  • Fundraising Plan for remainder
  • Project Design Documents are permit-ready (100% Construction Documents) or equivalent documentation
  • Costs for scope of work

Capital Grant Agreement

First 50% of Funds Disbursed

Construction

Interim Report Submission

  • 50% completion of construction

Completion

Construction 100% Complete

Matching Funds 100% Raised

Final Report Submission

  • Construction and matching funds must be complete

Final Site Visit

Final Disbursement of Grant Funds

Additional Resources

Find more information about other sources of funding, partner organizations, capital project planning tips, and more.

More Resources

Urban Grace by Stuart Isett

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about the National Fund program, what we offer, or how to get started? Read our FAQs to find out answers to the most common questions.

See FAQs

Stories and Media Coverage

Read more about how the National Fund for Sacred Places is helping congregations around the country rehabilitate their sacred places.

Learn More

Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church by Luis P. Gutierrez