Virginia Resources for Historic Properties

In Virginia, historic property owners, local governments, and advocates can seek assistance from federal and state programs for predevelopment, planning, and rehabilitation activities. These programs are largely administered through the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR). 

These programs are largely applicable to properties that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, either as an individual resource or as a contributing resource to a historic district. 

Please see each program’s website (listed below) for specific property or project eligibility, requirements, and application processes.

Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR)

The DHR is Virginia’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and administers state and federal mandated historic preservation activities.

Grant Programs

https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/programs/grants-funding-opportunities/

• Certified Local Government (CLG) Grants: Allows a CLG community to apply for grants through the federal Historic Preservation Funds (HPF). Virginia has 38 CLG communities, which are listed here: https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/programs/certified-local-government/
• Survey and Planning Cost Share Grant Program: Assists local governments with preservation planning including architectural survey, reporting, preservation planning documents, and National Register nominations. Communities do not need to be a CLG to qualify.
• Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Historic Preservation Grant Program: Providesgrants for the acquisition, protection, and rehabilitation of historic and archaeological sites of significance to Virginia’s historically underserved and underrepresented communities. These grants are open to state or federally recognized native tribes, local communities and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.
• Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program for Appalachian Southwest Virgina: Funding provided from the National Park Service (NPS) and administered by DHR to support the rehabilitation of historic buildings and sites in the state’s 25-countysouthwestern region. Reserved for public entities and nonprofit organizations.
• Maritime Heritage Subgrant Program: Provides funds to nonprofit organizations and local/tribal governments for the preservation and conservation of properties, collections and objects associated with underrepresented histories related to maritime trade in Virginia.
• Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund: Provides grants for the fee simple purchase of, or purchase of protective interest in any Virginia battlefield property listed in the following reports issued by the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program:
• Report on the Nation’s Civil War Battlefields.
• Report to Congress on the Historic Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 sites in the United States.
• Conveyance of a perpetual historic preservation and open space easement to the Virginia Board of Historic Resources is required.

Preservation Easements

https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/programs/easements/

• Allows property owners to voluntarily protect the historical, architectural, and archaeological integrity of their property.
• Easements restrict future development of the property, prohibit certain activities, and require prior approval of others.
• Virginia DHR is the primary easement holder.

Historic Tax Credit Programs

https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/programs/tax-credits/

• Federal Tax Credit Program: Available to property owners who have rehabilitated their historic building. It allows property owners to claim 20% of rehabilitation expenses for income-producing properties that are certified historic buildings. Rehabilitation work must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
• Federal Tax Credit: A separate 10% credit available for uncertified non-historic commercial buildings that were “placed into service” prior to 1936 and are being rehabilitated for non-residential use.
• State Tax Credit: Available for both owner-occupied and income-producing properties. Owners may claim 25% of eligible rehabilitation expenses. Properties must be listed or eligible to be listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register or contribute to a historic district listed in the state register. Rehabilitation work must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
• Contact the DHR to discuss historic tax credit program details prior to applying. 

  

Other resources for historic property owners may be available from these organizations or programs in Virginia.

 

Preservation Virginia

Preservation Virginia is the statewide non-profit for historic preservation. 

Revolving Fund Program

https://preservationvirginia.org/our-work/revolving-fund-program/

• Historic Properties are acquired and placed under protective easement.
• The properties are then sold to preservation minded owners who commit to its rehabilitation.
• Proceeds from the sale go back into the revolving fund to purchase additional historic properties and then repeat the process.

 

Virginia Historical Society 

The Virginia Historical Society operates the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.

Commonwealth History Fund

https://virginiahistory.org/commonwealth-history-fund

• Fund established for the restoration, rehabilitation, and preservation of historic properties. Other eligible projects include research, documentation, property acquisition, conservation, and landscape improvements.
• Available to Virginia nonprofit organizations, state and federally recognized tribes, and local government agencies.
• Political/partisan organizations and religious projects are not eligible.
• Grant applications will be accepted in September 2025.
• The grant program awarded 11 grants totaling $501,500 this year.

 

Virginia Main Street

The Virginia Main Street program, in concert with the National Trust for Historic Preservation,advocates for historic preservation and economic development.

https://virginiamainstreet.com/

Community Vitality Grants and Financial Feasibility Grants

• Virginia Main Street communities participate in three tiers and are listed here: https://virginiamainstreet.com/communities/.

• Grants and financial support for consulting services, placemaking, façade programs, and other efforts.

• Contact the specific Main Street program for more details.

 

Historic property owners may also gain assistance from local entities. The list below is not exhaustive of all local programs in Virginia. Please consult with your local economic development staff.

 

Historic Richmond

Façade Grant Program

https://historicrichmond.com/facadegrant/

• Matching grant program for owner-occupied buildings within designated historic districts in Richmond.
• Project review through Commission of Architectural Review required.

 

City of Richmond

Façade Improvement Program

https://www.rva.gov/planning-development-review/facade-improvement-program

• Matching grant program for façade improvements in Arts and Cultural District Incentive Zone.
• Funds for renovation/rehabilitation of building façade, including design and permit fees.

 

Arlington County, Virginia

Historic Preservation Fund

https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Projects/Plans-Studies/Historic-Preservation/Historic-Preservation-Fund

• Supports both community and individual historic preservation projects in Arlington County.
• Capital projects can receive up to $100,000 and require a 100% match.
• Non-Capital projects can receive up to $25,000 with no match required.

 

Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation

Historic Preservation Grant

https://www.lynchburgfoundation.org/grants-and-scholarships/grant-history/historical-preservation

• Supports both community and individual historic preservation projects in Arlington County.
• Spring and fall grant cycles.

 

Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation

Robert France Revolving Loan Fund

https://roanokepreservation.org/programs/

• Revolving loan funds to purchase, lease, or stabilize significant or endangered historic or natural properties.

 

Mary Morton Parsons Foundation

https://www.mmparsonsfoundation.org/focus-areas/

• Matching or challenge grant program for greater Richmond area historic preservation projects.
• Spring and fall grant cycles.

 

Historic Alexandria Foundation

Preservation Fund Grant Program

https://historicalexandriafoundation.org/

• Grants up to $5,000 for individuals, non-profits, and museums for restoration, repair, maintenance, or improvements of historic properties in Alexandria.

National Grant Programs Available in Virginia

National Park Service (NPS)

Historic Preservation Fund

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/historicpreservationfund/project-grants.htm

• African American Civil Rights Grants 
• Save America's Treasures Grants (for nationally significant properties only)
• Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program
• History of Equal Rights Grants
• Semi-quincentennial Grants
• Historically Black College/University (HBCU) Grants 
• Underrepresented Communities Grants
• Grant funding for listing properties in the National Register

National Maritime Heritage Grants

https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1220/maritime-heritage-grants.htm

• Provides 1 to 1 matching grants for historic properties relating to, or bordering seas or inland waters and properties relating to navigation or commerce of seas or inland waters.

American Battlefield Protection Program

https://www.nps.gov/orgs/2287/index.htm

Grant programs for:

• Land Acquisition
• Preservation Planning
• Battlefield Restoration
• Battlefield Interpretation

 

The 1772 Foundation

https://www.1772foundation.org/grants

Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs (HPRP)

• Collaboration between the 1772 foundation and the National Preservation Partners Network.
• Offers matching grants up to $250,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations to restore historic buildings and return them to use in the private sector with deed restrictions.
• The 1772 foundation also offers several other preservation grants on an invitation only basis.

 

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)

Historic Preservation Grants

https://www.dar.org/outreach/historic-preservation/dar-historic-preservation-grants

• Provides grants to local communities for the preservation of historic buildings, sites, records, and objects.
• Projects from all eras of American history are eligible.
• Maximum grant award is $10,000.
• Applications must include a sponsorship letter from a local DAR chapter.
• Chapters in Virginia can be found here: https://www.dar.org/discover/become-member/chapter-locator

 

US Department of Transportation

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)

https://www.transportation.gov/rural/grant-toolkit/key-grant-programs/arc       

Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Grants

• Funds economic development projects that help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant production, and coal-related supply chain industries.
• Planning grants up to $50,000.
• Implementation grants up to $400,000 to $1.5 million.

 

National Endowment for the Arts

Our Town Grant Program

https://www.arts.gov/grants/our-town

• Large grants that integrate arts, culture, and design to strengthen communities.

 

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Grant Programs

https://savingplaces.org/grants

• Numerous grant opportunities for a variety of historic properties, see each specific grant for eligibility and application requirements.

 

Partners for Sacred Places

National Fund for Sacred Places

 https://www.fundforsacredplaces.org/

• Collaboration between Partners for Sacred Places and National Trust for Historic Preservation.
• Matching grants of $50,000 to $500,000 for active religious congregations.

 

T-Mobile

Hometown Grants

https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/hometown-grants

• Up to $50,000 for shovel ready projects that build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces.

 

Wells Fargo Community Giving Grants

https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/responsibility-and-impact/community-giving/

• Grants for non-profit organizations for financial health, housing affordability, small business growth, and sustainability, which may include avenues to assist historic property owners.

Potential New Funding Sources

Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) of Virginia

https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/opportunity-zones-oz

DCHD is the state resource for the federal Opportunity Zones program. Federal Opportunity Zones are an economic development tool designed to spur investment and job creation in distressed communities by offering capital gains tax deferral for investments made in a qualified Opportunity Zone. Qualified Opportunity Funds are established as an investment vehicle specifically for the purpose of investing in a qualified Opportunity Zone.

• Virginia has 212 designated Opportunity Zones intended to:
• Deliver new, neighborhood-serving amenities, such as retail and fresh food grocers.
• Provide investment capital and growth opportunities for small businesses, particularly those led by underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• Create jobs for residents and pathways to the middle class.
• Increase affordable and workforce housing.
• See Opportunity Zones here: va.opzones.maps.arcgis.
• Federal tax reform created the “Qualified Opportunity Zone” program, designed to encourage investment in businesses that are in low-income communities by permitting a taxpayer who recognizes gain on the sale of property to gain certain tax benefits.
• Federal Opportunity Zones offer three tax incentives to investors:
• Temporary tax deferral for capital gains reinvested in an Opportunity Fund– the deferred gain is recognized on the earlier of the date on which the opportunity zone investment is sold or December 31, 2026;
• A step-up in basis for capital gains reinvested in an Opportunity Fund– the basis of the original investment is increased by 10% if the investment in the qualified opportunity zone fund is held by the taxpayer for at least 5 years, and by an additional 5% if held for at least 7 years, excluding up to 15% of the original gain from taxation;
• A permanent exclusion from taxable income of capital gains from the sale or exchange of an investment in a qualified opportunity zone fund if the investment is held for at least 10 years.
• The US Treasury Department certifies who is a “Qualified Opportunity Fund,” but the tax reform law defines this as a partnership or corporation formed for the purpose of making investments in businesses located in low-income communities designated as “Qualified Opportunity Zones.” To gain the program benefits, an investor must invest proceeds from a sale or exchange of assets to an unrelated party into a Qualified Opportunity Fund within 180 days from the date of such sale or exchange. This investor may choose to reinvest only a portion of the proceeds from the original sale or exchange, in which case only a portion of the gain would be deferred. A Qualified Opportunity Fund is required to invest at least 90% of its assets in targeted businesses where substantially all of the tangible assets of each such business are used in a Qualified Opportunity Zone, and at least 50% of the gross income earned from each such business is from the active conduct of business in a Qualified Opportunity Zone. Opportunity Funds provide investors with the chance to put that money to work rebuilding the low-income communities.