Grants

State Historical Society of Iowa: Up to $50,000 in matching grants to help preserve, conserve, interpret, enhance, and educate the public about Iowa’s historical assets, funded through the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) program. The Historical Resource Development Program provides funding for documentary collections, historic preservation, and museums.  Grants in the historic preservation category include rehabilitation of historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, survey or nomination projects, projects to interpret historic sites, and educational or training sessions.  Grants in the documentary collections category can assist communities in preserving and organizing physical resources as well as digitization of archival materials.  Grants in the museum category cover a wide range of activities related to the collection, care, and interpretation of museum objects.  Match ratios vary from $.50 per $1 to $1 per $1 depending on applicant type, with at least half of the match required to be in cash.  Grant applications are typically due by May 1 for the next fiscal year.  Additional information is online at https://history.iowa.gov/resources/grants/historical-resource-development-program/museums-guidelines

State Historical Society of Iowa: Up to $5,000 in grant funding to support the preservation and maintenance of a one-room or two-room country school in Iowa, funded as part of the Historical Resource Development Program. Grant funds may be used not only for physical preservation efforts but also for historical interpretation and educational activities related to the school’s history. Priority will be given to projects that include a strong educational component.  Grant applications are typically due by May 1 for the next fiscal year.  Additional information is online at https://history.iowa.gov/resources/grants/country-school-grant-program.

State Historic Preservation Office / National Park Service:  Up to $20,000 in matching grants for cities or counties in good standing as a Certified Local Government with the SHPO/NPS.  Grant funds can be utilized for survey projects, nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, Planning for Preservation projects, education project, and other planning and preservation projects.  Grants cover 60% of project costs, with 40% as a match in cash or volunteer (in-kind) hours.  Grant applications are typically due in August for project starting the following spring.  Additional information is online at: https://opportunityiowa.gov/community/historic-preservation/historic-preservation-planning-programs/certified-local-government-grant

Downtown Resource Center:  This program assists communities with the redevelopment or rehabilitation of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment in the community.  Maximum grant of $100,000 to the city (often working with a private partner), with 40% of funds will be awarded to cities with populations under 1,500.  Additional information is online at https://opportunityiowa.gov/community/downtown-resource-center/funding-opportunities/community-catalyst-program.

Additional resources for funding for projects related to commercial buildings in Iowa are maintained by the Downtown Resource Center: https://opportunityiowa.gov/community/downtown-resource-center/funding-opportunities

Iowa Arts Council / National Endowment for the Arts: Grants provide general operating support over a three-year period to eligible arts, cultural and humanities organizations in Iowa.  Additional information is online at https://opportunityiowa.gov/community/arts-culture/grants-programs/cultural-capacity-building-grant

Iowa Arts Council / National Endowment for the Arts: Grants provide arts and cultural organizations that demonstrate an exemplary record of cultural and managerial excellence and community service with a designation and flexible financial support over a three-year period.  Additional information is online at https://opportunityiowa.gov/community/arts-culture/grants-programs/cultural-leadership-partners

Owners interested in restoring their barns may apply for a Restoration Grant for up to 50% of the project costs. With $100,000-120,000 in grant funds available each year, the IBF Board may fund at less than 50% to cover more projects.  Grant applications are typically due by September 30, with awards announced by October 31.  Additional program guidelines and information is available online at https://iowabarnfoundation.org/award-and-grants.

The State, Tribal, Local, Plans & Grants Division manages several grant programs to assist with a variety of historic preservation and community projects focused on heritage preservation. The funding for all of the below grants, regardless of program, is through the Historic Preservation Fund.  Information on current grants and individual program guidelines are available at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/historicpreservationfund/project-grants.htm.

Examples of grant programs from the National Park Service include:

• African American Civil Rights Grant
• Save America’s Treasures Grant
• Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant
• History of Equal Rights Grant
• Semiquincentennial Grant
• Historic Black Colleges and Universities Grant
• Underrepresented Communities Grant
• Tribal Heritage Grant
• Disaster Recovery Grant