Bartus Trew Providence Preservation Fund

The Bartus Trew Providence Preservation Fund is an initiative of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, aimed at fostering historic preservation efforts specifically within the Eastern Shore region of Maryland. This fund was established through a generous endowment from Bartus Trew, a long-standing Chestertown, Maryland resident and the former owner of the historic Providence Plantation. The program is rooted in Trew’s legacy and vision of proactive and community-based preservation, empowering local organizations to acquire, maintain, and restore historically significant landmarks and memorials. The fund offers grants for a variety of preservation-related activities, including property acquisition, restoration and rehabilitation efforts, technical assistance, and public engagement through educational or interpretive programming. Eligible projects must be located south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Approximately $70,000 is allocated annually, with individual grant amounts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Funding can cover both professional service fees and certain project materials, though overhead and pre-application expenses are not eligible. Organizations eligible to apply must be public agencies, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, or other recognized nonprofit entities. Previous recipients of National Trust assistance are eligible provided their prior grant conditions have been satisfied. However, applicants may receive no more than three grants over a two-year span and only one grant per project phase or funding cycle. Additionally, only members of certain preservation networks—Preservation Leadership Forum, Main Street America Community, and Main Street America General—are eligible for funding, although membership can be secured after selection but before funds are disbursed. Applications for the current funding cycle are due by June 2, 2025, and will be accepted through the National Trust’s online portal. The application process includes submission of high-resolution images, nonprofit determination documentation, a letter of consent from property owners if applicable, and a detailed budget. Applicants are also required to add administrator@grantinterface.com to their address book to ensure communications from the grant system are received. Review of submitted applications typically concludes within ten weeks, with notifications sent via email. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for the grant through cash or in-kind contributions such as labor or materials. All activities funded must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Projects must commence within six months of the award date, and a final report with financial documentation is due within one year of funding. Grant conditions include specific procurement requirements, consultant approval processes, and nondiscrimination policies. For questions, applicants may reach out to the grants team at info@savingplaces.org or call the National Trust at 202-588-6000. The physical address for the organization is 600 14th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005.