INDIANA — Small towns across the Indiana Uplands have a unique opportunity to secure “seed money” for local history projects. Applications for the Hart Family Fund for Small Towns are due May 1, 2026, offering grants to help communities preserve their historic character.
Administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, these grants specifically target towns with populations of 10,000 or fewer.
The program provides awards ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. To be eligible, applicants must be a public agency or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Key Requirements:
- Matching Funds: Applicants are encouraged to provide a dollar-for-dollar (1:1) match from public or private sources.
- Membership: While anyone can apply, selected grantees must become members of the National Trust Preservation Leadership Forum or Main Street America before funds are released.
- Standards: All resulting plans must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
What the Funds Cover
The Hart Family Fund is designed for planning and education rather than “bricks and mortar” construction. Eligible activities include:
- Professional Expertise: Hiring preservation architects, archaeologists, or engineers for structural reports and feasibility studies.
- Planning: Developing design guidelines for historic districts or reuse plans for threatened buildings.
- Education: Sponsoring community forums or innovative outreach programs to engage new audiences in preservation.
Note: Funds cannot be used for construction, property acquisition, or staff salaries.
For small rural communities, these grants provide the technical expertise needed to turn a “threatened building” into a community asset. By funding the initial planning phases, the Hart Family Fund helps local groups stimulate public discussion and encourage private sector investment in downtown revitalization.
How to Apply
The application process is competitive. Interested organizations must submit their materials—including a project budget, consultant resumes, and high-resolution images—through the National Trust grants portal.
Decisions are typically announced within three months of the May 1 deadline. For more information on this and other regional opportunities, residents can also visit the Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) grant page.
