Federal Funding for Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation Fund
Congress established the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) in 1976 with income from fees charged for offshore oil leases on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Today, the HPF provides grants to states, tribes, and local governments to use for activities like education, preparation of National Register nominations, administering the federal rehabilitation tax credit, and development of comprehensive preservation plans. The HPF receives annual appropriations from Congress, and this federal money is matched by state dollars. The fund is administered in a partnership between the National Park Service and the states through state (SHPOs) and tribal (THPOs) historic preservation offices as well as certified local governments (CLGs). In more recent years, the HPF has been the source of funding for Save America's Treasures (SAT) grants, Historically-Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), as well as the more recent Preserve America program under the auspices of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
Our Position
Federal funding for historic preservation and the national preservation program is authorized by Congress and is subject to annual appropriations bills. Each year the National Trust for Historic Preservation and its advocacy partners advocate for funding necessary to meet the demands placed on State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices to preserve our national heritage sites.
Learn More
In Fiscal Year 2009, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and its preservation partners are requesting $115 million from Congress for the Historic Preservation Fund, including:
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$50 million for State Historic Preservation Offices
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$20 million for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices
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$30 million for Save America's Treasures
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$10 million for the Preserve America Program
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$5 million for a National Inventory of Historic Properties
