Certified Local Government
Certified Local Government (CLG) sub-grants are provided by the THC annually through a federal grant from the Historic Preservation Fund of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. At least 10 percent of this federal allocation is set aside by THC for distribution solely to CLGs.
Sub-grants may be used for local historic preservation projects, including surveys of historic properties/districts, preparation of nominations to the National Register, and other community-based preservation projects.
Sub-grants are allocated once a year on a competitive basis based upon established priorities identified by the THC. Such priorities may be subject to change based upon changes in federal historic preservation program priorities. All sub-grants are reimbursable and require a local cash match budgeted on a one-to-one (dollar for dollar) match equal to a 50/50 ratio for the total cost of the project. Proposed projects utilizing all or partial matches of verifiable in-kind services and/or goods may also qualify as long as the local match equals a 50/50 ratio for the total cost of the project. Only non-federal monies may be used as a match, with the exception of Community Development Block Grants.
See the Texas Certified Local Government Program Grants PDF for examples of survey grants that have been funded in the past.
For more information, email the CLG grants coordinator or call 512-463-7812.
Texas Preservation Trust Fund
The Texas Historical Commission (THC) awards grants for preservation projects from the Texas Preservation Trust Fund (TPTF). Created by the Texas Legislature in 1989, the TPTF is an interest-earning pool of public and private monies. The earned interest and designated gifts are distributed as matching grants to qualified applicants for the acquisition, survey, restoration, preservation, planning and heritage education activities leading to the preservation of historic properties and archeological sites. Competitive grants are awarded on a one-to-one match basis and are paid as reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred during the project.
The TPTF Grant Program application process is a two-step process. First. all applicants are required to submit a brief application form to the THC for review. The THC will select the highest priority projects from the initial applications and invite those applicants to move forward to the second step. Successful applicants will continue the process by submitting detailed project proposals. Full project proposals will be considered by the THC for final grant awards.
Preserve America
The Preserve America matching-grant program provides planning funding to designated Preserve America Communities to support preservation efforts through heritage tourism, education and historic preservation planning.
Through these grant projects, our country gains a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.
Designated Preserve America Communities and Neighborhoods, State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and Certified Local Governments that have applied for Preserve America Community designation are all eligible to apply for Preserve America grants. Individuals, nonprofits and for-profit businesses are not eligible for funding.
Preserve America grants support planning, development and implementation of innovative activities and programs in heritage tourism such as surveying and documenting historic resources, interpreting historic sites, planning, marketing, and training. Successful applicants will emphasize creative projects that promote and preserve the community's cultural resources. Successful projects will involve public-private partnerships and serve as models to communities nationwide for heritage tourism, education, and economic development.
For every dollar of federal funds awarded, the grantee must supply a dollar of non-federal matching funds.
The basic rule regarding matching share is that it must be necessary to achieve the objectives of the project and must share the cost of performing the grant-assisted work. The matching share requirement is essential because it creates a strong partnership that financially connects the grant recipient to achieving the work of the project.
More information on Preserve America.
Other Funding Sources
Surveys may be funded through local governments, voluntary efforts and contributions, and various grant sources.
