Historic Preservation State Grant Fund
The purpose of the State Grant Fund is to support historic preservation projects that benefit local communities and the public through the physical repair and rehabilitation of South Carolina’s historic buildings.
Historic buildings, for the purposes of the grant, are buildings that are listed as a contributing resource in a National Register of Historic Places district, or listed individually in the National Register, or determined by the SHPO to be individually eligible for listing in the National Register. The historic building must be located in South Carolina.
The SCDAH awards grants in two categories: Planning Grants and Stabilization Grants. Applicants may submit an application for either one planning-related or one stabilization-related grant (not both) per funding cycle.
Planning Grants are awarded to assist applicants in the development of conditions assessments and/or “bid-ready” plans and specifications that meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Reimbursable planning grants up to $50,000 will be awarded. No cash match is required.
Stabilization Grants are awarded for “bid-ready projects” for the stabilization and weatherization of historic buildings. Stabilization and weatherization, as a treatment, is the act or process of applying measures designed to reestablish the structural stability of an unsafe or deteriorated property and a weather resistant enclosure while maintaining the essential form as it exists at present. The stabilization and weatherization must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Reimbursable stabilization grants ranging from $40,000 to $200,000 will be awarded. A minimum 20% cash match of the Total Project Cost is required. A protective covenant, of either 5 or 10 years depending on the award, with SCDAH is required before the final reimbursement for stabilization grants.
Awarded funds are provided only as a reimbursement. SCDAH contributes its share and repays the grant recipient for eligible expenses through a reimbursement process. Applicants must document that they have a minimum of 50% of the Total Project Costs on hand designated specifically for the project and should be prepared to make whatever financial arrangements are necessary to ensure that project work is not delayed during the reimbursement process, which may take six (6) weeks. No work completed prior to the execution of the grant funding agreement will be eligible for reimbursement.
The State Grant Fund is a competitive grant program. Application does not guarantee award. Successful award one year does not guarantee award in future award years. Grant awards are subject to the annual availability of funds from the State of South Carolina. Funding is based on the state fiscal year, July through June.
Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Federal or State recognized Native American tribes. Eligible applicants must be located in South Carolina, must have tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or be an entity of local government, must be registered with the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Charities Division, and must be incorporated and serving the public for at least five (5) consecutive years prior to the submission of the grant application. Eligible applicants must own and hold the deed to the historic building for which they are applying.
The deadline to receive completed applications for the 2025-2026 grant cycle closed at 5:00 PM September 24, 2025. We anticipate announcing the 2026-2027 grant cycle application at the end of June or early July 2026. Periodically check the website for updates. In the meantime, please review last year’s application and supporting information to better understand questions that may be asked as part of the application process.
Application
Overview Presentation of the Application (PDF)
2025-2026 Application Guidance (PDF)
2025-2026 State Grant Fund Application (PDF)
2025-2026 Application Checklist (PDF)
Please review the Guidelines (pages 2 to 8 of the Application) for more information about the Applicant Requirements, what Grant Funding Will Support/ Will Not Support, and the Grant Selection Criteria and Review.
Questions?
For additional questions or assistance with your Historic Preservation State Grant Fund Application, please send an email to Alee2@scdah.sc.gov. SCDAH staff will be glad to schedule consultations, review drafts of applications, or talk through proposed projects and ideas.
Grant Awards (PDF)
FY 2026 Grant Awards
FY 2025 Grant Awards
FY 2024 Grant Awards
FY 2023 Grant Awards