The Preservation League provides several grant programs that jump-start preservation projects across the state. Read the brief descriptions below and follow the links to learn more about application processes, eligibility requirements, and funding cycles. Still not sure what grant program is the best fit for your project? Email us and we'll be happy to guide you in the right direction. 

Preserve NY Arts + Culture

Support for Pre-Construction Studies

Short Studies for Small Projects: Grants of up to $7,500 are available for small scale, discrete studies on spaces or systems within a building, structure, or site to precede repairs or limited rehabilitation projects. These stand-alone studies offer targeted solutions with a quick turnaround.

Comprehensive Studies for Capital Projects: Grants of up to $20,000 are available for comprehensive planning studies for an entire building/site to inform long term rehabilitation, preservation, or restoration plans and to precede capital projects. These studies help arts and cultural organizations plan for capital projects, and may provide a foundation for long term preservation masterplans, interpretive plans, and capital fundraising plans.

Support for Pre-Construction Studies

Support for Arts-Based Community Preservation Projects

These grants will fund cultural resource surveys, historic district nominations, or other official designations. Projects must have an arts component: in addition to hiring a survey consultant, applicants will also hire a NYS based artist to lead community engagement that responds to and/or engages with the survey.

Support for Community Projects

Preserve NY Arts + Culture, formerly Preserve New York and Technical Assistance Grants, is a regrant partnership of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League of NYS made possible with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, with additional support provided by the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area for projects in the Hudson River Valley Greenway .

PRESERVATION OPPORTUNITY FUND

Implementation Grants for Capital Projects: The Preservation Opportunity Fund (POF) is a Preservation League grant that supports shovel-ready repair, rehabilitation, and restoration projects for significant historic properties. Open to nonprofit organizations and municipalities.

Preservation Opportunity Fund

DONALD STEPHEN GRATZ PRESERVATION SERVICES FUND

The Gratz Fund supports professional preservation services and capital projects. By invitation only; priority given to projects in the Utica, NY area.

Donald Stephen Gratz Preservation Services Fund

GRANT CYCLES

Grantees must have successfully completed any prior League-funded grant projects in order to apply for additional funding.

  • Preserve New York Arts + Culture grants are offered annually.

  • POF grants are offered annually, with Letters of Intent due in the fall.

  • Gratz Fund applications are by invitation only. 

Each of our grant programs have unique eligibility requirements and priorities. Follow the links above to learn more about each application process. To stay up-to-date on grant news, subscribe to our e-newsletter below.

The Preservation League of NYS is seeking professionals in historic preservation or related fields to serve as grant reviewers. Click here to learn more and sign up as a potential panelist.