Funding for Historic Preservation – Introduction

One of the most common questions asked of Landmark Society staff goes something like “Where can I get money to preserve my historic building?”. Well, the answers aren’t always what people hope to hear but in some cases, at least, there is more help available for rehabilitation than for new construction. Here are some brief answers to those questions for homeowners, religious institutions, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and developers.
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Funding Resources for Historic Preservation Projects

For Homeowners

• Tax Exemption for Rochester’s Historic Properties
• State Tax Credits
• NeighborWorks Home Improvement Loans
• Historic Homeownership Assistance Act
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 203(k) Program
• Historic Barns Income Tax Credit Program

For Religious Institutions, Nonprofit Organizations, and Municipalities
(Note: Religious organizations are eligible for some, but not all, of these programs.)

• Sacred Sites Grants
• Funding through the Community Foundation
• New York State Environmental Protection Fund Grants
• New York State Quality Communities Program
• Preserve New York Grant Program for historic structure reports, historic landscape reports and cultural resource surveys
• New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)’s Architecture, Planning and Design Program
• Funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation: Includes the National Trust Preservation Funds, the Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors, and two loan programs.
• Transportation Enhancements Program: Grants for Transportation-Related Projects
• The New York State Main Street Program
• Certified Local Government Program

For Developers

• 20% Tax Credit for Rehabilitating Historic Properties
• 10% Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit for Non-Historic Buildings
• City of Rochester Conversion Urban Exemption Program
• Investment Tax Credit for Low-Income Housing
• State Tax Credits
• Tax Exemption for Rochester’s Historic Properties
• Information from the National Trust for Historic Preservation on funding available for the rehabilitation of income-producing properties