The Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund

The Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund, administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is a targeted grant initiative designed to strengthen the leadership and operational capacity of preservation organizations through mentorship and direct learning engagements. This grant program supports collaborative growth among preservation organizations by facilitating the sharing of experience and expertise from seasoned professionals to those in need of guidance on similar challenges. The fund specifically encourages mentoring relationships that are tailored to the needs of each participating organization, helping to develop leadership skills among staff and board members and enhancing the overall effectiveness of preservation efforts across the country. The primary focus of the Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund is to provide financial support for travel costs and mentor honoraria associated with peer-to-peer learning engagements. Grants are provided on a reimbursement basis, with a cap of $2,500 per award. These funds may be used to cover travel expenses such as airfare, train tickets, taxi fares, and mileage, along with a mentor honorarium of up to $250 per day. Importantly, these funds are not intended for event attendance or hosting, such as conferences or workshops, nor can they be used to pay for speaker or venue fees. Eligibility for this grant is restricted to Organizational Level Forum members or Main Street America members affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Additionally, eligible applicants must be public agencies, 501(c)(3) organizations, or other nonprofit entities. Each organization is limited to one grant award per fiscal year to ensure broad distribution of resources and opportunity. The grant application process is open year-round, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. Funding decisions are made in the order received and are subject to availability of funds. Once funds for the fiscal year are depleted, applicants who were recommended but not funded will be prioritized in the next cycle. Applicants must contact the National Trust grants office to initiate the application process and describe their proposed project prior to receiving the application. Upon completion of the mentoring event, recipients must submit documentation of expenses and a brief report within one month in order to receive reimbursement. The grant aims to facilitate real-time problem solving and strategic growth through the engagement of experienced mentors to support critical aspects such as fundraising, advocacy, program development, and organizational management. For additional information or to begin the application process, prospective applicants should contact the National Trust for Historic Preservation at info@savingplaces.org or call 202-588-6000. The organization is located at 600 14th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005.