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.
Funding for cultural heritage tourism may be available through:
- Your state's tourism, preservation, arts, museum, humanities, Main Street or economic development office
- If you are working on a project within a designated National Scenic Byway you may be able to apply for a National Scenic Byways grant through your local byway organization.
- Projects within a designated National Heritage Area may have funding available through the heritage area's local management entity.
- Communities that are designated as Preserve America communities can apply for Preserve America grants that can fund a variety of heritage tourism activities.
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. A number of federal agencies offer grants that can help to support cultural heritage tourism. Click here for a description of federal grant opportunities and a calendar of upcoming federal grant deadlines that may match up with your cultural heritage tourism needs. Looking for a federal grant for something a little different? Check out www.grants.gov for a comprehensive list of all federal grant opportunities, searchable by category.
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
National Scenic Byway Grants
The National Scenic Byways Discretionary Grants program provides merit-based funding for byway-related projects in designated National Scenic Byways each year.
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.
Deadlines are October 1, February 1, and June 1. To receive a grant application or more information, contact your National Trust Regional Office.
Preserve America
The Preserve America matching-grant program provides planning funding to designated Preserve America Communities to support preservation efforts through heritage tourism, education, and historic preservation planning. Preserve America grants support planning, development, and implementation of innovative activities and programs in heritage tourism such as surveying and documenting historic resources, interpreting historic sites, planning, marketing, and training. Successful applicants will emphasize creative projects that promote and preserve the community's cultural resources. Successful projects will involve public-private partnerships and serve as models to communities nationwide for heritage tourism, education, and economic development.
Grants range in size from $20,000 to $250,000.
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.
Tourism Cares for America
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.
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