PURPOSE: The Save America’s Treasures (SAT) grant program was established in 1998 and first awarded grants in 1999 to help preserve nationally significant historic properties and collections that convey our nation’s rich heritage to future generations. Since 1999, there have been more than 4,000 requests for funding totaling more than $1.54 billion. More than $315,700,000 has been awarded to 1,300+ projects.
The SAT program is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) in cooperation with its partners, Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The SAT program is funded through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) using revenue from Outer Continental Shelf oil lease revenue, not tax dollars.
The NPS is now accepting applications for $16 million in FY2020 funding. Please note there are two separate applications: one for preservation projects and one for projects involving collections.
- One for preservation projects (for properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places for national significance or listed as a National Historic Landmark. The property may be listed on either individually or as contributing to a nationally significant district).
- One for projects involving collections (including artifacts, museum collections, documents, sculptures, and other works of art).
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Public agencies, 501(c) (3), and other nonprofit organizations, units of state or local government, educational institutions, Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiian Organizations, federal agencies funded by the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies with the exception of the National Park Service (NPS), historic properties and collections associated with active religious organizations. Next deadline is January 26, 2021.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS: Preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant historic collections and properties. Collections include artifacts, museum collections, documents, sculptures, and other works of art. Properties include historic districts, buildings, sites, structures, and objects.
All projects must be nationally significant. This means that the proposed grant project concerns resources that are:
listed as a National Historic Landmark; or listed in the National Register of Historic Places at the national level of significance; or a collection of national significance. Resources must be either individually listed as a National Historic Landmark or contributing to a National Historic Landmark district. Resources must be either individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places for national significance or contributing to an historic district that is listed in the National Register for national significance. Collections projects must describe and document the national significance of the collection. If you are unsure if your property is listed at the national level of significance, contact the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Office. Unlisted properties are not eligible for this funding program. Properties must be listed prior to the grant application deadline, without exception.
Grants are awarded through a competitive process and require a dollar-for-dollar, non-Federal match, which can be cash or documented in-kind. The grants are administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).