Funding Opportunities for Historic Churches and Houses of Worship
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HISTORIC CHURCHES AND HOUSES OF WORSHIP
The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) wants to make sure our historic congregations know about national grant programs open right now to help repair, restore, and sustain historic church buildings. If your congregation worships in — or your organization stewards — a historic church building, please read on. One major deadline is days away.
1) PRESERVING BLACK CHURCHES GRANTS— DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 (5:00 PM Eastern / 4:00 PM St. Louis time)
Preserving Black Churches grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 are intended to preserve historic houses of worship (those with active congregations or that are being repurposed for new uses within the community) and advance preservation activities including capital projects, programming and interpretation, capacity building, project planning, and endowment and financial sustainability.
• Amount: $50,000 to $500,000
• NO MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED for building repair (capital projects), project planning, organizational capacity, or programming grants — these can fund up to 100% of your project. A 1:1 match applies ONLY if you apply in the endowment/financial sustainability category.
• Who is eligible: Historically Black churches (buildings generally 50+ years old and significant to African American heritage) with active OR non-active congregations; 501(c)(3) nonprofits stewarding a historically Black church building; and public agencies
• What it funds: Building repairs and capital projects (including original features like stained glass), project planning, programming, organizational capacity building, and endowment/financial sustainability
• IMPORTANT — How the money arrives: An initial payment is made when the grant agreement is signed; after that, the grant works on a REIMBURSEMENT basis — your church pays project invoices and submits proof of payment to receive funds. Plan your project cash flow with this in mind, and talk to us if that's a barrier — don't let it stop you from applying.
• IMPORTANT — Timing of work: Work completed BEFORE a grant is awarded is not eligible. If repairs are already underway, apply for the NEXT phase of work — do not wait to apply until current work is done.
• How to apply: Start atsavingplaces.org/preserving-black-churches-guidelines, which links to the National Trust's online application portal (Foundant). Your organization creates a profile and submits entirely online. Late submissions are not accepted.
• Questions:actionfundgrants@savingplaces.org
• Timeline: Status updates by October 30, 2026; final award notifications in February 2027
2) EMERGENCY REPAIR FUNDS — ROLLING (APPLY ANYTIME)
• National Trust Emergency/Intervention Funds, generally $2,500–$5,000, with NO matching requirement
• Who is eligible: Historic properties facing emergency conditions — storm damage, fire, or other urgent, unanticipated repair needs. Congregations still recovering from the May 2025 tornado could start here.
• How to apply: Emailgrants@savingplaces.org describing your property, the nature of the emergency, and how funds would be used
3) NATIONAL FUND FOR SACRED PLACES — PREPARE NOW FOR THE NEXT CYCLE
• Amount: Matching capital grants of $50,000 to $500,000, plus training and technical assistance
• Who is eligible: Community-serving historic houses of worship of ANY faith tradition with active congregations undertaking significant capital projects
• About the match: This program DOES require a 1:1 match — and the match must be NEW money raised after acceptance into the program. The program provides training and hands-on help teaching congregations how to raise it. Note: funds from other National Trust programs (including Preserving Black Churches) cannot count toward this match — matching dollars must come from outside sources.
• Timing: The 2026 cycle has closed; the next application period is expected to open in early 2027 with a deadline around early March. Congregations that begin gathering materials now (building history, photos of conditions, financial statements, board resolution, community programming documentation) will be ready when the portal opens.
• Learn more: fundforsacredplaces.org — including a self-assessment questionnaire to check your eligibility today
• Good to know: Eligible churches CAN apply to both this program and Preserving Black Churches.
4) FREE HELP GETTING READY
Partners for Sacred Places (sacredplaces.org) offers building stewardship, fundraising, and community engagement support to congregations preparing for these programs.
5) SLDC CAN HELP
SLDC's Grants & Philanthropy office is available to help congregations understand eligibility, gather documentation, plan for reimbursement-based funding, and prepare competitive applications. Contact your neighborhood manager to discuss. You can reach out to Sandy at brookss@stlouis-mo.gov
Don't let the September 11 deadline pass — even if your paperwork isn't perfect, reach out this week and we will help you determine whether your church can apply in time.
LISA OTKE | Neighborhood Manager
Downtown, Downtown West, Midtown, The Gate District, Lafayette Square,
Peabody Darst Webbe, LaSalle Park, Kosciusko, Soulard, McKinley Heights,
Fox Park, Tower Grove East, Compton Heights, Tower Grove South,
Benton Park West, Benton Park, Marine Villa, Gravois Park, Dutchtown
1520 Market Street, Suite 2000 • St. Louis, MO 63103
