FY2024 Historic Preservation Fund- Save America's Treasures- Collection Grants

The FY2024 Historic Preservation Fund – Save America's Treasures Collection Grants, managed by the National Park Service (NPS), offers financial support for the preservation and conservation of nationally significant collections. This program aims to assist museums, libraries, archives, and other collecting institutions in conserving historically valuable collections. A key component of the grant is a dollar-for-dollar match requirement, which can be met through cash or in-kind contributions. Administered in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the program ensures that preservation efforts are carried out in accordance with national standards for historic preservation. In total, the program has $25.5 million available for FY2024, with grant awards ranging from $25,000 to $750,000. The grants require a minimum of 50% cost sharing, and the matching funds must be sourced from non-federal contributions. The anticipated award date is August 1, 2025, and the program expects to fund between 35 and 70 projects, depending on the size and scope of applications. The NPS does not expect to be substantially involved in the execution of awarded projects, as these are handled by the grantees. Eligible applicants for this grant include state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Native American tribes, and private institutions of higher education. Federal agencies may apply if collaborating with a nonprofit partner, but properties or collections owned or leased by the NPS or where the NPS holds a property interest are not eligible. The program requires compliance with federal regulations and guidelines, such as the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to ensure that projects do not harm the historical or cultural integrity of the collections or properties involved. The application process requires detailed project descriptions and budget justifications. Applicants must submit standard forms such as the SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B, along with supplementary documents like a project abstract, letters of support (if applicable), and a letter of owner consent if the applicant is not the collection owner. The grant requires that administrative and indirect costs do not exceed 25% of the total project cost, and certain expenses, such as new construction, long-term maintenance, and acquisition of collections, are not eligible for funding. Applications will be evaluated based on several key criteria, including the national significance of the collection, the urgency and severity of threats to the collection, the effectiveness of the proposed project in mitigating those threats, and the feasibility of completing the project within the specified timeframe. Applications are due by December 12, 2024, and must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Awardees will be notified around six months after the submission deadline, and projects are expected to start once the grant agreement has been fully executed. Awardees must comply with reporting requirements, including the submission of financial and performance reports, and ensure adherence to all applicable federal guidelines throughout the project period.