*Black churches across the United States, many of which have served as anchors for African American communities for generations, will soon have a new opportunity for preservation funding.
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, an initiative of the National Trust for Historic Preservation based in Washington, D.C., has opened applications for its 2025 Preserving Black Churches grant cycle.
This nationwide effort, backed by a $60 million commitment, is designed to help congregations safeguard the architectural and cultural legacy of their worship spaces. Awards will range from $50,000 to $500,000, depending on the scope and type of project. These grants can be used for restoration work, structural stabilization, and creative reuse projects that keep these historic buildings active within their communities.
Since the program began in 2023, it has awarded $19.5 million to 108 historic Black churches, including $8.5 million distributed to 30 congregations in 19 states during 2024. The funding has supported structures that have long been more than just places of worship; they have been meeting spaces, organizing hubs, and symbols of resilience in African American history.
To qualify, applicants must own or have permission to work on a church building that holds recognized significance to African American heritage. Generally, structures must be at least 50 years old, though exceptions are made for younger buildings with extraordinary historical or cultural importance. Eligible sites include churches built or designed by Black architects, those continuously used by historically Black congregations, and buildings repurposed for cultural or artistic programming.
Scroll to continue reading
The application period opens August 4, 2025, and closes September 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. A recorded information session is available for interested applicants, and a live webinar Q&A will take place on August 14 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
For full eligibility guidelines, project examples, and the application portal, visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s website or contact the Action Fund team at [email protected]. This initiative not only repairs aging walls and roofs, it also helps ensure that the stories, traditions, and community leadership rooted in these churches will endure for generations to come.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: 7 Dream Jobs to Travel the World for Free, From Pet-Sitting to Travel Writing
Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
