Vermont Historic Preservation Grants
Vermont Division for Historic Preservation
Amount
Up to $20,000
Deadline
Annual (next cycle TBA)
Eligibility
Houses of Worship
Region
VT
Vermont's Historic Preservation Grants are competitive 50/50 matching grants of up to $20,000 for repair and rehabilitation of historic buildings. The building must be at least 50 years old and listed in or eligible for the State Register of Historic Places. Churches and other buildings owned by religious organizations are eligible, though grant funds are never used for religious worship. Grants pay for capital work only, as reimbursement. Applications for the 2027 grants closed October 5, 2026, with decisions in December 2026.
Eligible purposes
Grants often don't cover the full project
Most churches combine grant funding with a church loan to fully fund construction, renovation, or expansion projects. Check your loan readiness to see what lenders will cover the gap.
Check your readiness →Tips for applying
- Read the full guidelines first. Every grant program has specific eligibility criteria, required documentation, and scoring rubrics. Review these thoroughly before starting your application to ensure your church qualifies.
- Start early. Most grant applications take 2–4 weeks to compile properly. You will likely need financial statements, Board resolutions, project plans, and letters of support. Starting early gives you time to gather everything without rushing.
- Quantify your community impact. Grant reviewers want to see specific numbers: how many people your church serves, what programs you run, and the measurable outcomes of your ministry. Vague claims about community benefit are less compelling than concrete data.
- Consider hiring a grant writer. Professional grant writers who specialize in nonprofit and religious institution funding can significantly improve your success rate. Many charge 5–10% of the grant amount or a flat fee.
- Have a backup plan. Grant funding is competitive and not guaranteed. If your project depends on grant funding, explore loan options as well. Our free readiness assessment can help you understand your loan eligibility alongside your grant applications.