Sam and Mary Cooke Preservation Fund for Hawaiʻi

The Sam and Mary Cooke Preservation Fund for Hawaiʻi is a dedicated grant initiative established through a partnership between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation in 2008. The fund was created to preserve and enhance historic sites throughout Hawaiʻi, ensuring that future generations can experience and benefit from the state's cultural and architectural heritage. The fund is managed by the National Trust in coordination with the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation and is part of the broader National Trust Preservation Fund (NTPF) program. Grants provided through this fund typically range from $2,500 to $10,000, with a total of approximately $15,000 available annually. These grants support a variety of preservation projects and activities such as planning, education, restoration, and acquisition related to historically significant sites in Hawaiʻi. Applicants must be capable of matching grant funds on a one-to-one basis through cash or in-kind contributions. Matching funds may come from public or private sources and can include donated labor, services, or materials. Eligible applicants include public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and other nonprofit organizations. Applicants must also be Organizational Level Preservation Leadership Forum Members or Main Street America Members. While membership is not required to apply, it is mandatory for grantees to obtain membership before funds are disbursed. Applicants can receive no more than three grants within two years, and only one grant per organization or project phase per application round. The application timeline follows the standard NTPF deadlines, which are generally February 1, June 1, and October 1. Applications open roughly six to eight weeks prior to each deadline and are submitted via the National Trust’s online portal. The review process is completed within ten weeks, with decisions communicated via email. Required application materials include high-resolution digital images, IRS determination letters for tax-exempt status, property owner consent letters, and a detailed project budget. Projects funded through this program must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and are required to obtain competitive bids for services exceeding $50,000. Consultants must be approved by the National Trust post-award, and grant agreements must be signed prior to project initiation. Projects should begin within six months of the award date or require a formal extension. Final reports and financials must be submitted within one year of fund disbursement. For questions or assistance, applicants can contact the National Trust at info@savingplaces.org or by phone at 202-588-6000 or toll-free at 800-944-6847. Additional resources and application access are available at the National Trust’s website, savingplaces.org.