Grants

Restoration of the painted ceiling at the former Newport Congregational Church in Newport was made possible by a State Preservation Grant.
Restoration of the painted ceiling at the former Newport Congregational Church in Newport was made possible by a State Preservation Grant.

The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission operates two grant programs and serves as a clearinghouse for information on other preservation grants and financial assistance.

Certified Local Government (CLG) Grants are available for communities with Historic District Zoning. Eligible projects include identification and evaluation of significant historic and archaeological properties, the nomination of eligible properties to the National Register of Historic Places, historic preservation plans and certain education-related activities. Grant applications are typically made available in the fall, and decisions are announced in the spring.

The State Preservation Grants program provides grants for capital preservation projects at museums, cultural art centers, and public historic sites located in historic structures. This program is funded by Rhode Island voter-approved bond issues. The most recent grant round took place in 2021, and no additional grant rounds are planned at this time.

Other grant sources are available for Rhode Island projects. Planning a project? Review our list of local, state, regional, and national preservation funds. And check out other resources for grant seekers.

For more information, please contact Donna Alqassar.