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Hart Family Fund for Small Towns.

The Hart Family Fund provides annual preservation planning and education grants for communities with fewer than 10,000 residents.

Offered byNational Trust for Historic Preservationverified 2026-07-10

Overview

What it does.

An eligible public agency or nonprofit in a town with a population of 10,000 or less may apply, and selected grantees must satisfy membership requirements. A Chester applicant should confirm the population basis used for the next cycle; the 2026 deadline has passed.

Best for: A Chester nonprofit or public agency planning preservation work or public education around a historic resource.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • Public agencies and nonprofit organizations in towns with populations of 10,000 or less

Applicants excluded by the source

  • For-profit applicants
  • Individuals

Eligible uses

  • Preservation planning
  • Professional expertise
  • Public preservation education and outreach

Uses excluded by the source

  • Construction
  • Property acquisition
  • Academic research
  • Staff salaries
  • Organizational overhead

Application

How to start.

  1. Confirm the applicant and community meet the current eligibility rules.
  2. Develop a planning or education project rather than a construction request.
  3. Prepare for the next annual application round.

Timing: The 2026 annual deadline has passed; monitor the official page for the next cycle.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • Construction and acquisition are not eligible.
  • Selected grantees must become qualifying National Trust or Main Street America members before funds are released.

The fund is intended as seed money and can leverage other sources when match rules are satisfied.

Evidence

Official sources.