Funding for historic preservation comes from a variety of sources and also takes many different forms; such as grants, tax credits, or other incentives. Preservation funding is available from
national, state, local and private sources. The following information is designed to help you get started with ideas in your search for funds for Tennessee preservation.

I. NATIONAL LEVEL

National Park Service
www.cr.nps.gov/helpyou.htm#grants
Contact: National Park Service Regional Office
Southeast Regional Office
Richard B. Russell Federal Building
75 Spring Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 331-2632

The National Park Service administers federally funded programs including grants and tax credits. This website provides detailed information about the requirements and even offers the applications for some of the grant programs.  Check out the website above for grants relating to battlefields, state and local communities, Native American land,
preservation technology and training, and Save America's Treasures Grants.   

The 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit is administered by the Tennessee Historical Commission and applies to any project that the Secretary of the Interior designates a certified
rehabilitation of a certified historic structure. This tax credit is available for properties
rehabilitated for commercial, industrial, agricultural, or rental residential purposes, but it is not available for properties used exclusively as the owner's private residence.

National Trust for Historic Preservation
     www.nationaltrust.org/help/grants.html
National Trust for Historic Preservation Southern Regional Office
William Aiken House
456 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-8552

National Trust Grant Programs:

Preservation Services Fund provides nonprofit organizations and public agencies matching grants from $500 to $5,000 for preservation planning and education efforts. Funds may be used to obtain professional expertise in areas such as architecture, archeology, engineering, preservation planning, land-use planning, fund raising, organizational development and law as well as preservation education activities to educate the public.