Preservation Grants

Charitable Giving

Benjamin Moore is committed to inspiring and transforming North American communities by supporting programs and nonprofit organizations that open doors, provide stability, and preserve our history for generations to come. Three areas of focus include:

• Workforce Development: Developing the next generation of workers through educational programs that teach architecture, interior design, trade skills, science, technology and engineering.
• Housing & Community Development: Supporting efforts that transform local communities—from innovative and environmentally friendly homes to projects that enhance shared spaces and bring people together.
• Preservation/Sustainability: Preserving the value of communities and historic architecture through the use of sustainable coatings.

In addition to in-kind and financial donations, teams of Benjamin Moore employee volunteers give thousands of hours each year to national and local organizations that embody our mission.

Partner organizations include American Society of Interior Designers, Gary Sinise Foundation, and National Trust for Historic Preservation, among others.

African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Grants

Grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund advance ongoing preservation activities for historic sites, museums, and landscape projects representing African American cultural heritage. The fund supports work in four primary areas: Capital Projects, Organizational Capacity Building, Project Planning, and Programming and Interpretation. 

Grants made from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund will range from $50,000 to $150,000. In 2021, the National Trust awarded $3 million to 40 projects. Since establishing the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund’s National Grant Program in 2017, the National Trust has supported more than 150 preservation projects nationally.

Grant Conditions

Grants from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund may be used to fund up to 100% of the proposed project. While matching funds are not required for this program, projects that are leveraging additional investments are strongly preferred.

The following grant conditions apply:

• If the project involves a property, the grant recipient must either own the property or have a written agreement with the property owner stating that the grantee has permission to undertake the grant-funded project.
• Grants or any matching funds cannot be used directly or indirectly to influence a member of Congress to favor or oppose any legislation or appropriation.
• Any documents or plans for preservation work that result from the project must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
• Any construction projects must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
• At least three (3) competitive bids/quotes must be obtained for any procurement of services that exceed $50,000. This provision applies only to portions of the project supported by National Trust grant funds.
• Grant recipients must include appropriate acknowledgement of the National Trust and its philanthropic partners’ financial support in all printed materials generated for the project.
• Consultants must be approved by the National Trust before grant funds are disbursed. Board members of the application organization cannot serve as consultants unless appropriate conflict of interest procedures are followed and documented.
• Grant recipients are required to sign a contract agreeing to the conditions of the program.
• Within one year from the grant disbursement date, the project must be completed, and a final report and financial accounting of the expenditure of the grants must be submitted. If the project is not completed in accordance with the contract, the grant funds must be returned.
• Applicants must agree not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or sexual orientation. This obligation also extends to disabled veterans, Vietnam-era veterans, and handicapped persons.
• Additional grant conditions may be required by the National Trust’s philanthropic partners. They will be outlined in the grant contract.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund are designed to advance ongoing preservation activities for historic places representing African American cultural heritage, such as sites, museums, theaters, sports venues, churches, schools, universities, and landscapes. Grants awards may be made for activities and projects in the following categories:

Capital Projects

• Restoration, rehabilitation, stabilization, and preservation of historic places and structures, including bricks-and-mortar construction and planning costs
• Applicants can request up to $150,000

Organizational Capacity Building

• Hiring new staff to increase the organization’s capacity (funds can be used to support salaries and benefits for grant-supported staff.) Applicants can request up to $150,000 for a two-year period
• Increasing current part-time staff to full-time in order to advance preservation priorities. Applicants can request up to $100,000 for a two-year period
• Convening board, governance and nonprofit management training and development activities. Applicants can request $50,000

Project Planning

• Obtaining the services of consultants with expertise in the areas such as preservation architecture, business development, engineering and environmental studies, legal issues, fundraising and financial sustainability, organizational development, education, etc. to develop plans for implementation by organization
• Development of business plans, feasibility studies, preservation plans, engineering studies, architectural plans, etc.
• Applicants can request up to $75,000

Programming and Interpretation

• Sponsoring preservation conferences and workshops
• Designing and implementing innovative preservation education and interpretative programs
• Designing, producing, and marketing printed materials or other media communications
• Applicants can request $50,000

Up to 10% of awarded grant funds may be used for organizational overhead costs. Grants awarded for Capital Projects and Programming and Interpretation may include funding for both the planning and implementation of those projects. In the case of Capital Projects, up to 15% of awarded grant funds may be used for construction planning such as architectural and engineering services, code review, drawings, specifications, and geotechnical.

Maintenance and Repair Grants for Religious Places

Eligible preservation projects are:

• exterior painting
• finishes and surface restoration
• fire detection
• lightning protection
• security systems
• repairs to/restoration of porches, roofs, and windows
• repairs to foundation and sills
• repairs to chimney
• masonry repointing

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation partners with other organizations to offer grants for preservation projects in Hawaii.

HHF Historic Preservation Grants

Through a partnership between Historic Hawai‘i Foundation and Preservation Funders

Purpose: The preservation grants support historic preservation as a mechanism for building community, enhancing Hawaii’s sense of place, and support for improved societal relationships.

Eligible Projects

Rehabilitation or restoration construction projects that preserve the character-defining features of a historic building or site are eligible. Projects should demonstrate that local support and investment is in place prior to applying for the preservation grant, and the HHF preservation grant is not the sole source of funds. Following completion of the preservation project, the site or building should be used for a public or community purpose. All projects are required to follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and to commit to preserving the historic property for at least 10 years after receiving the funds. Grants range from $10,000 to $100,000.

Historic Preservation Grants

Established in 1986, the State-funded Historic Preservation Grant Program helps municipalities and non-profit organizations rehabilitate the historic buildings that are a vital part of Vermont’s downtowns, villages, and rural communities, as well as its iconic landscape. 

Since its inception, the program has provided almost $5 million towards the preservation of over 550 historic community buildings. Grants have been used to revitalize buildings such as town halls, museums, theaters, libraries, recreation centers, and other municipal buildings. If your municipality or non-profit organization owns a historic property, you may be eligible for a Historic Preservation Grant to assist with the cost of repairs, maintenance, and accessibility improvements.

DAR Historic Preservation Grants

Since our founding in 1890, the National Society of the DAR has supported historic preservation as one of our three main mission areas (along with patriotism and education). In tens of thousands of locations around the world, we have saved historic properties, erected historic markers, digitized documents and helped to preserve the American story in thousands of meaningful ways.

We’re proud to also provide $250,000 in grants annually to support historic preservation efforts in local communities. The DAR Historic Preservation Grants provide financial assistance for projects that preserve historic resources, sites and other history-related projects. Examples include restoration of historic buildings; digitization or preservation of documents/records; preservation of historical items/artifacts; erection of new or rededication/relocation of existing historical markers; cemetery headstone and monument conservation, etc. The maximum grant is $10,000, and smaller projects are encouraged.