Overview of the Grant Process
The three major grant deadlines throughout the year are February 1, June 1 and October 1. Decisions are usually made within eight weeks of that deadline. We will notify you of your grant status via email. If your grant is approved, and you have provided us with the necessary consultant information, we typically issue a grant agreement within 2-3 weeks of notification. You must return a signed copy of your grant agreement along with a W9 and an EFT authorization form that we will provide. Funds are typically dispersed within 2 weeks of receiving all of the necessary paperwork. After funds are dispersed, you have one year to complete your project. A final report is due within 30 days of the project completion.
So you joined Forum, now what?
If you are a current grantee you have already taken advantage of one of the great benefits of a Forum member of the National Trust: being eligible for grants. It is important to us that our grantees demonstrate a commitment to preservation, and joining Forum demonstrates that your organization places a priority on advancing your preservation goals.
We strongly believe that your organization will find value in your Forum membership, and access to our grant program is only one benefit of being a Forum member. Forum provides information and tools to help you build a stronger preservation organization by providing access to cutting edge information, special events and member-only resources, and discounts on conferences and training. Learn more about your Forum Benefits here.
FAQs for Current Grantees
Many grantees have similar questions. We have listed some of the more common questions below. If you have any questions that are not covered here, or would like further clarification on something discussed below, please feel free to contact the Grants Office at 202-588-6277, or email us at Grants@SavingPlaces.org.
Q. Is a match required?
A. Yes, a dollar for dollar cash match is required. Evidence of this match must be shown when you submit your final report.
Q. How long do I have to complete my project?
A. Projects must be completed within one year of the date that you received the original funding.
Q. How do I submit my final report on line?
A. Use this link to log in using the same information you used when you applied for the grant, and fill out the assigned follow up form. If you have any further questions, please call the grants office at 202-588-6277.
Q. How do I request an extension?
A. If you believe that you need an extension to complete your project, please email Grants@SavingPlaces.org, describe the progress you have made to this point on the project, what stands in the way of moving forward with the project, and when you anticipate that the project will be completed. We will follow up with you within two weeks of receiving your email.
Q. What do I do if I have funds remaining after completing the grant project?
A. If you have grant funds remaining after completing your project, please call the grants office at 
202-588-6277 to let us know. Then mail a check made out to “The National Trust for Historic Preservation” to:
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Attn: Grants Office
2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20037
National Trust Preservation Funds: Final Report Guidelines
Submission of a final report form is a condition of the grant award and is required to complete the contract between the National Trust and the grant recipient. The report allows the National Trust to determine if the project goals were achieved and, ultimately, to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF). Your final report must be submitted online. Click here, log in using the same information you used when you applied for the grant, and fill out the assigned follow up form.
Description of Project Results
Provide a detailed description of the project results: the role of the National Trust funds, the name(s) of the consultant(s) involved, the documents produced, and the impact of the project. For workshops and conferences, give an evaluation of the event and state actual number of attendees.
Project Income
Provide a detailed list of matching funds for the project being funded by the NTPF grant. Grants from the National Trust Preservation Funds must be matched on at least a 1:1 cash basis. In-kind donations (volunteer labor, donated materials, etc.) may not be applied to the required match.
A National Trust Preservation Fund grant that is not matched or in excess of one-half of the total project cost must be returned to the National Trust.
Project Expenses
Provide a detailed list of project related expenses. Attach proof of payments such as copies of paid invoices and/or canceled checks. If the total project cost does not match the estimated cost stated on the grant application, explain the difference. If the project expenses are less than the project income, a portion of the National Trust’s funds will need to be returned to the National Trust, as detailed in the grant agreement. Please contact Grants@SavingPlaces.org for more information.
With the exception of publication projects, the cost of materials and services (such as printing, photographs, telephone and supplies) may not exceed 10% of the budget of the grant-funded portion of the project. In other words, if you have received a $2,700 NTPF grant, the total costs for services and materials reported on this form may not be higher than $270.
Attachments
Provide a copy of any products resulting from the project. Please include relevant photographs, reports prepared by consultants, architectural or design plans, conference/workshop literature, educational materials, teaching manuals, curriculum plans, audio-visual materials, press clippings and any other printed or graphic material, including funder acknowledgement required by the grant agreement.
Certification
The final report must be certified by an authorized representative of the described project and its sponsoring organization.
Within one month of the project end date and no later than one year following the date of the grant disbursement, the final report and attachments must be submitted to the National Trust.