Historic New England believes that partnerships among organizations devoted to preservation strengthen all efforts. Through these partnerships, we increase the understanding of the importance of historic preservation as a catalyst for the sustainability of our communities.
In this spirit of collaboration, Historic New England annually awards grants to one small to medium-sized history organization in each New England state to support projects that save and share their communities’ diverse history as part of telling the whole story of New England.
The Herbert and Louise Whitney Fund for Community Preservation
The endowment fund that supports Historic New England’s Community Preservation Grants Program is named in honor of Herbert and Louise Whitney to recognize their deep appreciation and love of all things New England, in particular the Bishop family farm in North Woodstock, Connecticut.
Grant Schedule
2026 application available: May 1, 2026
Deadline for submission: June 30, 2026
Notification: Grant awards will be announced in the fall.
Award Amounts
In 2026 six Community Preservation Grants of $1,250 each will be awarded to one organization in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Who Can Apply
We welcome applications from 501(c)3 organizations based in New England whose primary mission is historic preservation — saving buildings, landscapes, collections, and/or stories from the past to today to share with the public.
The Community Preservation Grants Program is committed to supporting small to mid-size organizations in achieving their goals of saving and sharing their communities’ history. While an annual operating budget limit is not specified, funding priority will be given to organizations for which grants of this size will have impact on project success.
Eligible Expenses:
Previously Funded Project Types Include:
- Targeted building and landscape preservation — Discrete physical interventions that save, revitalize, or maintain historic buildings, features, and landscapes, sustaining the places that anchor a community’s shared history.
- Collections stewardship and access — Projects that protect and make accessible the collections and records through which communities save and share their history. Applicants should demonstrate how their collections will be made available to the public or otherwise advance understanding of the full story of their community’s history.
- Public interpretation — Exhibitions, signage, and publications that bring the full story of a community’s people, places, and history to life for broad audiences.
- Preservation planning — Research and professional consultation through which organizations can lay the groundwork for saving significant historic resources.
Areas of Funding Focus:
- Documenting stories from the past to today — Recording and preserving the voices and experiences of community members whose histories have not been fully captured, advancing understanding of the complete story of New England’s people.
- Expanding community narratives — Interpretation, programming, and projects that advance a more complete and inclusive account of New England’s people, places, and history.
- Building inclusive access — Initiatives through translation, accessibility improvements, or community-centered programming that ensure historic places and stories can be shared with the full diversity of New England’s communities.
Ineligible Expenses:
- Funding will not be provided for staff salaries. However, consulting fees directly related to successful completion of a project or initiative are fundable.
Application Considerations & Process:
- Applicants must provide a complete budget outlining all expected project expenses and income sources.
- Applicants requesting seed money to begin a project or initiative, or final gap funds to allow a project to proceed, should include a full project description, timeline, and milestones for completion of the project.
- All applications must be fully completed and submitted electronically using the online application by the published deadline.
Post-Award Requirements
Through submission of this grant application, the applicant agrees:
- that Historic New England may list and publicize successful applications and projects as participants in the program, and use all forms of print and digital media to build visibility for the program, applicant, and project without restriction;
- to credit Historic New England and the Herbert and Louise Whitney Fund Community Preservation Grants Program in all visibility and publicity related to the funded project; and
- to submit a one-page project completion/project status report within one year of receiving the grant award stating the results and impact of the project. Failure to meet these requirements will disqualify the applicant from future funding.
For specific program questions email EPaliga@HistoricNewEngland.org.
