African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Awards $3 Million to Preserve Historic Black Places Across the U.S
The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has announced $3 million in preservation funding for 27 historic sites and organizations across the United States through its annual National Grant Program and Conserving Black Modernism Initiative. Since its establishment in 2017, the Action Fund has raised over $200 million and supported more than 430 preservation projects focused on protecting Black heritage nationwide.
"Historic places help us understand who we are as a nation," said Brent Leggs, President and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and founder of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. He emphasized that the grants represent investments in communities committed to preserving the comprehensive American narrative, which includes the struggles for freedom and civil rights as well as the achievements of Black individuals in various fields.
Tiffany Tolbert, Co-Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, noted that the strength of the National Grant Program and Conserving Black Modernism Initiative lies in their ability to cater to the unique preservation needs of communities. This year’s grantees highlight diverse initiatives across the nation, underscoring the importance of continuous investment and local leadership in preserving Black history.
The current year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, and this year’s grants reaffirm the significance of preserving locations that narrate a complete and inclusive American story. At a time when communities are reassessing how history is commemorated, the Action Fund is dedicated to investing in local organizations that protect sites related to cultural heritage and social movements.
The National Grant Program is allocating $2.26 million to 22 grantees, supporting sites that uphold cultural heritage, civil rights memory, education, and women's leadership. Awardees include the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the Eliza Freeman House in Connecticut, and the home of Dr. Jane Ellen McAllister in Mississippi, among others. Additionally, the Conserving Black Modernism Initiative, in partnership with the J. Paul Getty Foundation, is providing $750,000 in grants to five projects aimed at safeguarding the legacy of Black Modernist architects.
The Action Fund expresses gratitude for the support of philanthropic partners, including the Freedom Together Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, which have contributed to the latest round of grants. A complete list of the 2026 National Grant Program and Conserving Black Modernism grantees is available through the company.