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Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants.

NPS funds intermediaries to operate rural historic-rehabilitation subgrant programs; property owners access support through those intermediaries.

Offered byNational Park Serviceverified 2026-07-10

Overview

What it does.

This program is relevant to rural communities like Chester, but it does not directly fund a single property application. A capable statewide, regional, local-government, or nonprofit intermediary must win the federal award and issue subgrants.

Best for: A regional or statewide rural preservation fund serving several historic properties.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • State and tribal historic preservation offices, Certified Local Governments, and qualifying nonprofits capable of operating a rural preservation subgrant program
  • Property owners may receive subgrants from a selected intermediary

Applicants excluded by the source

  • A single property owner applying to NPS for one building

Eligible uses

  • Subgrants for rehabilitation of National Register-listed or eligible rural historic properties

Uses excluded by the source

  • Work completed before the subgrant
  • A prime application designed for only one property

Application

How to start.

  1. Identify or organize an eligible intermediary with subgrant-management capacity.
  2. Develop a multi-property rural preservation program.
  3. For a single property, ask Illinois SHPO and preservation nonprofits about active Bruhn-funded subgrant rounds.

Timing: The 2026 federal application period closed June 23, 2026; future funding depends on congressional appropriations.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • The federal application must create a multi-property subgrant program.
  • Funded work is reimbursable and cannot predate the award.

Subgrants may complement tax credits and owner financing subject to the intermediary's rules.

Evidence

Official sources.