FUNDING

Where can we find funding for cultural heritage tourism projects?
As you begin to look for sources of funding, start close to home. Many local libraries have information about funding resources by state and by type of project, and it is also possible to search the web to find out about other funding sources that may be available in your area. Local and state sources of funding are often easier to secure as you are not competing against as applicants across the country. Be sure to consider charitable organizations in your area (such as community foundations), businesses or corporations that might be willing to sponsor your efforts, as well as government sources such as funding from the city, county or state.

You may want to contact the cultural heritage tourism contact for your state to ask about funding resources within your state that you may not be aware of. To find out if your state has a cultural heritage tourism contact, look in the Directory of Statewide contacts in this section of the website.

For more information about national funding resources, look in the Directory of National Organizations in this section of the website. This directory includes over 40 national organizations that provide different kinds of assistance to cultural heritage tourism efforts.

Before you submit a request for funding, be sure that you have a clear sense of exactly what you are asking for and what outcomes you anticipate. Do your research to be sure you know what the potential donor is looking for. If possible, talk to the potential donor about what you are trying to do to see if that source is a good match before writing a formal proposal. When you do secure funding or other donations, don’t forget to thank your supporters.

Grant Opportunities

Historic Landmarks Foundation and the Indiana Humanities Council

Historic Preservation Education Grants up to $2,000 for educational projects related to historic properties in Indiana. 

Eligible projects include lectures, workshops, conferences, production of audiovisual materials, heritage and cultural tourism programs, and educational publications.

Proposals for Heritage Preservation Education Grants are due in early March each year. Completed applications are due in April, and grant awards are announced in May.

Online applications are available at http://www.indianahumanities.org/Grants/HistPresGrantGuidelines.html.

For more information, contact Historic Landmarks’ Director of Heritage Education and Information:

317-639-4534

800-450-4534

stanis@historiclandmarks.org

Tourism Cares

The tourism  industry's nonprofit organization, awards grants to worthy  tourism-related nonprofit organizations worldwide for conservation or preservation of exceptional cultural, historic, or natural sites.

Tourism Cares considers projects or programs with  either or both of the following goals: 1) projects that protect,  restore, or conserve sites of exceptional cultural, historic, or  natural significance; and 2) programs that educate local host  communities and the traveling public about conservation and  preservation of sites.

Historically, grants have ranged between $10,000 and $20,000  each.  However, based on merit and availability of funds, grants  of up to $100,000 will be considered.

Visit the web site for complete program guidelines, an FAQ, and information on past grant recipients.  www.tourismcares.org

National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers planning grants for historic preservation projects across the country.  Cultural heritage tourism projects can be eligible for this funding.  These are small matching grants for planning, education and consulting services to assist historic preservation projects.

Grant amounts may range from $500 to $10,000 and require a one-to-one cash match.  Nonprofit organizations with current 501(c)3 status, as well as local governments, may apply.  Eligible projects include hiring consultants to prepare a cultural heritage tourism assessment, designing interpretive signage, and holding educational programs or workshops.   

http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/find-funding/

Deadlines are October 1, February 1, and June 1.  To receive a grant application or more information, contact your National Trust Regional Office

http://www.preservationnation.org/about-us/regional-offices/

Save America's Treasures

Federal grants are now available for preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts and nationally significant historic structures and sites.  Eligible applicants include nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c), U.S. organizations, units of state or local government, and federally recognized Indian Tribes.  Grants are awarded through a competitive process and require a dollar-for-dollar, non- federal match. The minimum grant request for collections projects is $25,000  federal share; the minimum grant request for historic property projects is $125,000  federal share. The maximum grant request for all projects is $700,000  federal share.  

http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/treasures/index.htm

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