Frequently Asked Questions

The National Fund is designed to preserve historic sacred spaces as community assets; therefore, project components meant only to enhance worship are not eligible for funding (i.e. altars, organs, sound equipment, etc.). Please see the Guidelines and Eligibility section for more details on eligible and ineligible projects.

Yes, we welcome applications from all faith traditions, and have funded projects representing 25 different faith traditions or denominations since the program’s inception in 2016. However, we currently have a limited ability to accept non-Christian faith groups into the National Fund program. We are working to broaden our funding sources to allow more non-Christian faith groups to participate in the program. For more information, please contact Rachel Hildebrandt at Partners for Sacred Places, rhildebrandt@sacredplaces.org

“Closely affiliated nonprofit organizations” are eligible to apply for National Fund grants on behalf of and in collaboration with a congregation that meets all the other eligibility criteria. We typically define a “closely affiliated nonprofit organization” as a separate nonprofit organization tasked with maintaining and managing the historic facility and/or serving as the fiscal agent to receive grants and other funds for building-related costs, such as a “Friends Group” or associated preservation trust. If you are closely affiliated in some other way, please explain that in your application, and be sure to work in collaboration with the congregation as you prepare the application.

The National Fund evaluates projects on a case-by-case basis and emphasizes projects that enhance the community usage of a historic sacred place. All projects must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. The property must have urgent repair needs related to structural components, walls, roof, and/or other elements of the building envelope that are integral to building preservation and longevity. Projects that improve functionality or improve accessibility of the property in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are also eligible, as well as renovation projects that make vacant or underused space usable for community outreach, but applicants should demonstrate that urgent repair needs to the building envelope have already been identified by a building condition assessment and addressed before proposing ADA or interior rehabilitation projects.

Qualifying projects might include, but would not be limited to: exterior and interior repairs and painting; HVAC, ventilation, and electrical repairs and replacements; space reconfiguration; stained glass repair; ADA compliance (restrooms, bathrooms, ramps); security and lighting upgrades; fire security and suppression systems; and bell tower or steeple stabilization. Ineligible projects include furniture repair, demolition, and audio-visual upgrades. For more information regarding eligible work, please consult the Guidelines and Eligibility section. Please also review profiles of program participants to get a better idea of the types of projects the National Fund has supported in the past.

The National Fund is more than just a grant—it is a program providing wrap-around technical assistance and training to congregations. By requiring congregations to raise matching funds and providing training and technical assistance to help them learn how to do this, participants in the National Fund program will be better positioned for long-term success with ongoing stewardship of their historic sacred spaces. Congregations that have completed their National Fund projects have shared that the program helped them develop fundraising skills and build connections that they can leverage for future programs or capital campaigns.

Although we offer grants of up to $500,000, the majority of our grants are in the $50,000 to $250,000 range. Our ability to make larger grants is very limited. If you request a $500,000 grant, your application will be evaluated according to the same criteria. However, we will ask an additional series of questions related to fundraising readiness – to ensure that your congregation is prepared to raise the required match ($1 million in matching funds to match a $500,000 grant). Ultimately, we advise congregations to ask for what they need while keeping the matching requirement in mind.

Absolutely. If your congregation is not selected, you are more than welcome to submit a Letter of Intent for the following grant cycle.

The National Fund for Sacred Places has offered one grant cycle every year since the program’s inception in 2016. At this time, the program has funding through 2027.

Yes. Qualifying applicants can apply to both the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and the National Fund, as well as any other grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. More information about the National Trust’s other grant programs is available on the National Trust’s website. Money received from the Action Fund or any other National Trust grant, however, cannot count toward the required match for the National Fund grant.

Sometimes. If you are accepted into the National Fund program, your congregation will be eligible for a $10,000 Planning Grant that you may use toward completing these planning steps. If you are looking for assistance completing building planning or assessments prior to admission into the National Fund program, there may be other grants available elsewhere, such as the National Trust’s Preservation Funds.

The AIA bid process will suffice. At least three competitive bids/quotes must be obtained for any procurement of services that exceeds $50,000. In exceptional circumstances where obtaining three competitive bids is unreasonably difficult or if the congregation has a preferred contractor that it has a history with, the congregation may submit written rationale for considering a no-bid contract. This provision applies only to portions of the project supported by National Fund program grant funds.

Absolutely. It is not uncommon that the National Fund grant is one small piece of a larger capital project. For instance, a congregation may be embarking upon on a multi-phase capital project of $2 million. A National Fund grant of $250,000, plus the required match of $500,000, may support a scope of work totaling $750,000 as a discrete phase of this larger multi-phase project. If you are admitted into the National Fund program, we will work with your congregation and your architect to review your construction documents. You may not need to separate out the National Fund work in your construction documents, but you will need to submit a description of the scope of work the National Fund would cover in the LOI, Application, and (if accepted into the program) Capital Grant Submission. 

No. Work that has been started or completed prior to acceptance into the National Fund program or prior to the completion of the Capital Grant Submission (if accepted into the program) is not eligible for the National Fund. If accepted into the National Fund program, do not begin construction on any work that you hope to use National Fund grant monies to support before receiving formal authorization from staff. More information is available in the Guidelines and Eligibility section.

No. Only funds raised after a congregation has been notified of its acceptance into the National Fund program are eligible for matching funds. You may begin having informal conversations with potential donors prior to being accepted into the National Fund program, but any pledges or donations accepted prior to official acceptance into the National Fund program cannot be counted toward your required match. Please see the Guidelines and Eligibility for types of acceptable matching funds. Please note, bridge or construction loans and reserve funds of the congregation will not count as matching funds.

We understand that the pandemic has been very challenging for many congregations across the country. We are interested in whether you have maintained an active congregation despite shutdowns and other challenges (whether that meant holding services over Zoom, on Facebook, etc.), are continuing your ministry or have even expanded your community services to support those affected by the pandemic, continue to have established and active pastoral and lay leadership, etc. Explain to us how you are navigating through the pandemic.

No. Work that has been started or completed prior to acceptance into the National Fund program or prior to the completion of the Capital Grant Submission (if accepted into the program) is not eligible for the National Fund. If accepted into the National Fund program, do not begin construction on any work that you hope to use National Fund grant monies to support before receiving formal authorization from staff. More information is available in the Guidelines and Eligibility section.

No. Only funds raised after a congregation has been notified of its acceptance into the National Fund program are eligible for matching funds. You may begin having informal conversations with potential donors prior to being accepted into the National Fund program, but any pledges or donations accepted prior to official acceptance into the National Fund program cannot be counted toward your required match. Please see the Guidelines and Eligibility for types of acceptable matching funds. Please note, bridge or construction loans and reserve funds of the congregation will not count as matching funds.