Southwest Intervention Fund

The Southwest Intervention Fund is a targeted grant program administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to safeguarding America’s historic places. This fund focuses exclusively on preserving the traditional cultures and heritage of the Southwest region of the United States, specifically within Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and designated areas of West Texas. West Texas is defined as the area west of U.S. Route 281 from the Oklahoma border to San Antonio, and north of U.S. Route 90 from San Antonio to Del Rio. Through this initiative, the National Trust supports urgent and strategic preservation efforts that aim to protect historic and cultural resources, ensuring these significant sites are not lost due to neglect, natural disasters, or development pressures. Grants from the Southwest Intervention Fund are designed as catalytic awards, generally ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. These funds may be applied to single sites or broader, multi-state projects, provided all locations fall within the eligible geographic scope. Funded activities must align with the mission of preserving traditional cultural resources and can include preservation planning, emergency interventions, legal or communications support, and public education programs. For example, funds might support archaeological surveys, community workshops on preservation law and ethics, site protection through fencing and signage, or even curriculum development for K–12 classrooms. The fund is structured to empower local partners and organizations to act swiftly in response to preservation opportunities or threats. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or similar nonprofit designations. Entities that have previously received support from the National Trust remain eligible if they are in good standing with current grant requirements. However, no more than three grants may be awarded to a single grantee within any two-year period, and only one grant may be awarded per project phase or per organization during a given application round. While membership in the National Trust’s Preservation Leadership Forum or Main Street America programs is required to receive funds, applicants do not need active membership at the time of application—membership must be established before funds are disbursed. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to match grant funds dollar-for-dollar through cash or in-kind contributions. This matching requirement can be fulfilled using private or public funds, income from events, or eligible in-kind services like donated materials or labor. Matching funds must be allocated to eligible project expenses, which include consultant fees, project-specific staff salaries, website development, mailing and printing costs, and related materials. Ineligible expenses include general overhead, catering, entertainment, construction activities, or costs incurred before the grant application date. Additionally, all work must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Applications are processed through the National Trust Preservation Fund (NTPF) portal, with deadlines typically falling on February 1, June 1, and October 1. However, availability of the Southwest Intervention Fund varies, so applicants should confirm that the fund is open during their desired cycle. Applications open roughly 6–8 weeks before the deadline, and the review period lasts about ten weeks. Notification of awards is delivered via email. A signed contract is required for awardees, who must begin their projects within six months of award notification or request a formal extension. Final reports and financial reconciliations are due within one year of the grant disbursement. Evaluation criteria include the urgency of the preservation need, significance of the site or project, clarity of goals and timelines, the availability of matching resources, the broader impact or visibility of the project, and long-term plans for site stewardship. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with the National Trust’s grants office before submitting a proposal. Contact can be made through email at [email protected] or by phone at 202-588-6000 or toll-free at 800-944-6847. Additional information, including access to the application portal, is available at http://savingplaces.org.

Confirm Southwest Fund availability for the round; consult with grants staff before applying.