Grants

1772 Foundation Grants for Maine Historic Preservation Projects

GRANTS FOR MAINE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS

The 1772 Foundation generously grants funding to nonprofit organizations in the form of 1:1 matching grants of up to $10,000 for shovel-ready historic preservation projects. Maine Preservation is honored to partner with The 1772 Foundation to make these grants available in Maine.

2027 call for Letters of interest

To demonstrate the sustainability of historic properties, applicants will be required to submit a building conditions assessment and cyclical maintenance plan with the Letter of Interest (LOI). If this required documentation does not exist, the Foundation will consider providing support for their development on a case-by-case basis.

Building conditions assessment guidelines
Cyclical Maintenance Plan Template

Eligible Applicants

  • Have a 501(c)(3) IRS designation.  

  • Have no outstanding grants from The 1772 Foundation. 

  • Own the property or have a long-term lease to use the property. 

  • Must submit a building conditions assessment and cyclical maintenance plan with the LOI.  

  • Properties currently used as schools or houses of worship are not eligible for funding. 

Eligible Projects

  • Exterior painting, finishes, and surface restoration 

  • Install or upgrade fire detection, lightning protection, and security systems 

  • Repairs to/restoration of porches, roofs, and windows 

  • Structural foundation and sill repair/replacement 

  • Chimney and masonry repointing 

All work must follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. We strongly recommend submission of a detailed scope of work to Maine Preservation staff for feedback prior to submitting an LOI.  

climate action grant

This year, an additional $10,000 will be available for a climate action grant in a new pilot program with The 1772 Foundation. The same matching terms and other requirements apply, but the funds are to be used for energy audit assessments, insulation upgrades, alternative energy sources (solar, geothermal, wind, etc.), upgraded/converted systems or appliances, and storm windows. Water mitigation projects (wet proofing crawl spaces, gutters, site work, etc.) may be considered, but preference is given to decarbonization upgrades. Applicants are encouraged to leverage programs offered by utility providers. Applications for lifting or relocating buildings will not be considered. Other projects may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Organizations should not apply for both the preservation and climate action grants. 

All organizations that wish to be considered should complete the online Letter of Interest here. 

LOIs will be accepted until November 2, 2026. 

Review LOI form & questions
Submit letter of interest

Not all LOIs will result in an invitation to apply. Full applications will be due February 15, 2027. Direct questions to Brad Miller, brad@mainepreservation.org. 

2026 Grantees

Maine Preservation has announced the 20 organizations granted funds by The 1772 Foundation in 2026. Grants were provided for exterior repair and restoration including painting, surface restoration, chimneys, porches, roofs, windows, foundations and sills, masonry repointing, and installation of fire/security systems. Projects were evaluated by Maine Preservation staff, who also will administer the grants. Each grantee was required to have matching funds for its project.

2025 Grantees

Maine Preservation has announced the 19 organizations granted funds by The 1772 Foundation in 2025. Grants were provided for exterior work: painting; surface restoration; fire/security systems; repairs to/restoration of chimneys, porches, roofs, and windows; repairs to foundations and sills; and masonry repointing. Projects were evaluated by Maine Preservation field services staff, who also will manage the grants.

Read the Press Release

Past Grantees Across Maine

Use the map to view grantees in your area or browse past grant cycles below.

2024 Grants

Read the Press Release

THE AWARDEES

View the grantees below and click on the images to visit the organizations’ websites to learn more about their missions. 

2023 Grants

Read the Press Release

View the grantees below and click on the images to visit the organizations’ websites to learn more about their missions. 

2022 Grants

Read the Press Release

THE AWARDEES

View the grantees below and click on the images to visit the organizations’ websites to learn more about their missions. 

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2021 grants

Read the Press Release

The Awardees

View the grantees below and click on the images to visit the organizations’ websites to learn more about their missions. 

2020 grants

The Awardees

View the grantees below and click on the images to visit the organizations’ websites to learn more about their missions. 

Northeast Heritage Economy Program Grants

A FOUR-STATE INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PRESERVATION

The Northeast Heritage Economy Program (NHEP) was a collaborative initiative of Maine Preservation, the Preservation League of New York State, New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, and the Preservation Trust of Vermont. This grant program was funded with a $1,000,000 grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) through their Regional Forest Economy Partnership program. The funds for this program, and all NBRC programs, were available thanks to the support of the Congressional Delegations of all four NBRC states: Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.

The NHEP provided grants to community-driven preservation projects to address the negative economic shift produced by the decline of the forest products industry in the rural areas of the Northern Border Regional Commission region (Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont). Studies show that historic preservation investment supports small business and good-paying labor jobs, improves property values, keeps money circulating in local economies, catalyzes additional investment, and increases community pride.

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Grantees

Read the News Release Announcing the Awards

Maine’s Northeast Heritage Economy Progam supported efforts to revitalize five historic buildings and uplift their communities’ economies in Dover-Foxcroft, Lille, Thorndike, and Belfast.

News Center Maine Coverage of the Grant Program

tHE Awardees

Center Theatre for the performing arts, Dover-Foxcroft

Center Theatre, Dover-Foxcroft

The Center Theatre, Inc. will receive $30,538 to support the creation of a second screen theatre at the Center Theatre, substantially increasing its outreach.

Learn more about the Center Theatre for the Perfoming Arts.

The Center Theatre’s executive director, Patrick Myers, talks about how they’ll use their grant to grow their community impact in the short video below.

Musée CUlturel du Mont-Carmel, Lille

Musée Culturel du Mont-Carmel, Lille

L’Association Culturelle et Historique du Mont-Carmel will receive $78,480 for restoration of frescoed plaster and repairing the roof and sills of the Musée Culturel du Mont-Carmel. The Musée is on Maine Preservation’s Most Endangered Historic Places list as an especially important historic building. This work will provide for expanded visitation and use of the building.

Learn more about the Musée Culturel du Mont-Carmel.

The team provides a quick overview of their project below.

The Commons at Central Hall, Dover-Foxcroft

The Commons at Central Hall, Dover-Foxcroft

The Maine Highlands Senior Center will receive $17,582 to assist in its build out of the first floor of The Commons at Central Hall allowing it to expand its services to the community.

Learn more about The Commons at Central Hall.

The Farwell Project, Thorndike

The Farwell Project, Thorndike

The Farwell Project, Thorndike

Timelines Community, Inc. (Thorndike), will receive $80,000 for rehabilitation, including foundation, drainage, sills, joists, subflooring, and chimney work, in order to reopen the Thorndike Village General Store as a multi-use facility.

Learn more about the Farwell Project.

The Belfast Maskers, Belfast

Belfast Maskers Theatre, Belfast

The Belfast Maskers will receive $23,400 for heating and cooling and bathroom improvements at the former First Universalist Church, which will expand the use of its theatre facility throughout the year.

Learn more about the Belfast Maskers.

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