Funding search · historic preservation · Illinois
Who funds historic preservation work in Illinois
15 funders have a record of paying for historic preservation work by Illinois recipients: 57 grants totaling $11.8M, most recently in 2025 — mostly private foundations, plus grantmaking charities. The largest by matched giving are National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States ($2.5M), The Chicago Community Trust ($3.4M) and The Andrew W Mellon Foundation ($4.5M).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to Illinois recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United StatesWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
20 matching grants · $2.5M · through 2024Largest: $1.0M to ROBERTS TEMPLE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST — historic preservation
The Chicago Community TrustChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
7 matching grants · $3.4M · through 2023Largest: $2.9M to The Richard H Driehaus Museum — general operating support, support for the historic preservation and renovation of the john b. murphy memorial auditorium (?the murphy?) at 50 e erie st, chicago, il 60611, support…
Largest: $1.8M to THE HERITAGE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION INC — to support organizational capacity, training, and a regranting program for cultural heritage projects in sub-saharan africa
Largest: $120,000 to Historic Preserv Found of Fortnight — general - facade restoration & challenge grant
Largest: $258,237 to MAIN STREET OF STERLING INC — historical preservation and facade improvements.
Largest: $25,000 to HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF THE IL CHAPTER BLACK PANTHER PARTY — general unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization
Illinois Clean Energy Community FoundationChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $40,000 · through 2023Largest: $20,000 to Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation Inc — preserving more natural areas and native american cultural heritage in the driftless region of nw illinois
Largest: $2,500 to Sounds and Notes Foundation — cultural heritage
Largest: $5,000 to DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD HERITAGE FOUNDATION INC — to support, enhance, promote and preserve the historic, architectural, artistic and cultural heritage of the city of springfield and the hometown area of abraham lincoln.
Largest: $5,000 to HISTORIC PRESERVATION — to provide for charitable activities as determined by the recipient organization
Largest: $5,000 to ELAWA FARM FOUNDATION — landscape and historical preservation
Largest: $5,000 to DU PAGE GRAUE MILL CORPORATION — historical preservation
This is one topic and one state. PaperOrbit reads your actual paper and searches on everything in it — then explains why each funder fits.
Start with one paperBroader: historic preservation funders nationally · all Illinois-based grantmakers