The Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund, administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, offers financial assistance to public agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of historic sites along the Route 66 corridor. This grant aims to support initiatives that highlight the diverse narratives of communities historically underrepresented in preservation efforts, including those associated with People of Color, women, immigrants, LGBTQIA communities, veterans, and economically distressed groups. The funding range for this grant is between $2,500 and $10,000.

The primary purpose of the Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund is to facilitate the preservation of historic places connected to Route 66. The objectives include launching new preservation initiatives and providing support for ongoing projects. Eligible activities for funding encompass a variety of preservation efforts, such as restoration and rehabilitation of historic sites, obtaining expert consulting services, sponsoring preservation conferences, and developing educational programs. Additionally, the grant can be used for the acquisition of historically significant land or buildings and the purchase of perpetual easements.

Eligible expenses under this grant include construction costs, consultant fees, and certain operational costs for nonprofit applicants, such as staff salaries for those directly involved in the project. Other allowable expenses include speaker costs for conferences, mailing costs for distributing materials, website development, and various materials and services related to the project. However, costs associated with publications projects are limited to 10 percent of the total project budget.

To qualify for the grant, projects must be located in communities, neighborhoods, or tribal lands along the Route 66 corridor in specific states, including Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. While organizations do not need to be situated directly on Route 66, they must demonstrate a geographic or thematic connection to the corridor. Eligible applicants include public agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Organizations that have previously received funding from the National Trust may apply again, provided they meet all current grant requirements.

The grant imposes certain limitations on applicants, including a cap of three grants awarded to a single grantee within a two-year period and only one grant per organization in any grant round. Additionally, only one grant will be awarded for a specific project phase. This structure ensures a broad distribution of funds among various eligible projects and organizations.

Submission requirements for the grant include a completed application that addresses specific questions related to the project and its alignment with the grant's objectives. Evaluation criteria will focus on the project's potential impact on preservation efforts, community engagement, and the representation of underrepresented narratives.

The application deadline for the Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund is October 16, 2024. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines thoroughly and prepare their submissions in advance of this date to ensure compliance with all requirements. For further information, applicants can visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation's website or contact them directly via email.