From Preservation Action:

The National Park Service announced they are now accepting applications for the Underrepresented Communities grant program, which is works towards diversifying listings on the National Register of Historic Places and the African American Civil Rights grant program, which preserves sites and stories that help tell the long struggle for African American civil rights. Both of these important grant programs are funded through the Historic Preservation Fund.

The Underrepresented Communities grant program supports the survey, inventory, or nomination of new sites or amending of previous listings to the National Register or as a National Historic Landmark, that help tell the stories of communities that are currently underrepresented. National Park Service takes a broad view on the definition of underrepresented, and looks for that case to be made in the application. The Underrepresented Communities grant program was established in 2014 and since inception, has awarded $7.5 million in grants to help diversify nominations to the National Register. Currently $1.25 million is available in funding through the program. Applications are due August 29, 2024.

The African American Civil Rights grant program documents, interprets, and preserves sites and stories related to the African American struggle to gain equal rights, from the transatlantic slave trade and onward. These grants fund a broad range of preservation projects including survey and inventory, National Register nominations, oral histories and more and do not require a funding match. Grants are split into two different opportunities, "preservation projects" and "history projects". Currently $24 million is available in funding through the program. Applications are due September 05, 2024.

The National Park Service is also still accepting applications for the History of Equal Rights grant program, which helps preserve sites related to the struggle to achieve equal rights in America. Applications for these grants are due August 20, 2024.

Together these grants are helping to preserve places that tell a more diverse and inclusive American story. Preservation Action continues to advocate for increased support for all of these important programs. Learn more about these opportunities and apply today!