Historic Preservation Fund
The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), celebrating its 50th year in 2026, is the backbone of preservation in America. It supports the state, tribal, and local programs that identify historic places, protect cultural heritage, revitalize downtowns, and preserve the sites that tell our nation’s story. Since 1976, the HPF has facilitated more than 100,000 listings on the National Register, enabled the survey of millions of acres for cultural resources, and leveraged hundreds of billions of dollars in private investment through the Historic Tax Credit.
What We’re Fighting For
Preservation Action is on the front lines in Washington advocating for strong HPF funding and long-term authorization in the face of disruptions, uncertainty, and threats of elimination.
What We Do
- Build bipartisan congressional support for the HPF
- Mobilize hundreds of preservation organizations and advocates nationwide
- Defend the HPF from threats to cut funding
- Push for record investment in preservation programs
- Support the timely release of funding for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Office and critical grant programs that preserve the places that tell our nation’s stories.
The HPF does more than preserve old buildings. It creates jobs, strengthens local economies, supports housing and Main Streets, and protects the places that define our communities.
What You Can Do: Funding
The HPF provides critical funding to all 59 State Historic Preservation Offices, over 200 Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and important competitive preservation grant programs. The HPF is subject to the annual Congressional Appropriations process and requires consistent advocacy to ensure adequate and necessary funding.
- As we commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, urge your members of Congress to reject harmful cuts and instead support a historic, $250 million for the HPF. Read our Fund the HPF Issue Brief here.
What You Can Do: Reauthorization
The HPF was established for states and tribes to carry out their federally mandated responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Action. While Congress appropriates funding for the HPF annually, annual deposits into the HPF needs to occasionally be reauthorized. Currently, the HPF’s authorization is set to expire in September of 2026. The bipartisan Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the HPF for 10 years and increase the authorized level from $150 million to $250 million annually.
- Urge your members of Congress cosponsor the HPF Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3418) and support long-term reauthorization of the HPF in moving legislation. Read our Reauthorize the HPF Issue Brief here.
Help Us Keep Fighting for Preservation
Every advocacy alert, congressional meeting, and preservation victory is powered by supporters like you.
Your donation helps Preservation Action defend federal preservation programs and advance policies that protect America’s historic places for future generations.
Background
In 1976 Congress established the HPF to support the initiatives mandated by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Modeled after the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the HPF receives its funding through a small percentage of offshore oil and gas lease revenue from the outer-continental shelf (OCS) – not taxpayer dollars. Deposits into HPF are authorized at $150 million annually.
The HPF, administered by the National Park Service, supports State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO’s) and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and was later expanded to support several competitive grant programs.
While funding levels have varied over the years, recent proposals from the Administration have nearly eliminated funding for the HPF. Luckily Congress has consistently rejected these proposals, demonstrating the HPF’s bipartisan support.
Unfortunately, Congress hasn’t passed a long-term authorization since 2016, relying on inconsistent, one-year authorizations, causing uncertainty for states and tribes to carry out their important work. Additionally, the HPF’s authorization of $150 million has not been increased since the program was established and has not kept up with inflation or the expansion of the program. A lapse in funds could stall revitalization projects across the country and interrupt review of federal projects.
We urge Congress to renew their commitment to preserving America’s history as we commemorate America’s 250 anniversary and the 50 anniversary of the HPF.