Virginia Land Conservation Fund. The Virginia Land Conservation Fund, managed by the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, offers grants to cultural projects seeking to preserve a variety of resource types including battlefields, viewsheds, and structures. For more information, contact the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Virginia Main Street Program. Communities can put the traditional assets of downtown, such as unique architecture and locally owned businesses, to work as a catalyst for economic growth and community pride through the Virginia Main Street Program, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development. Since its inception more than 15 years ago, thousands of jobs have been created and more than $100 million in private money has been invested in the 18 Main Street communities in Virginia – using old buildings and historic character as an asset to bring people back into older business districts.
TEA-21 Grants. Grants for community preservation projects relating to transportation are available through the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Funding is provided in accordance with the federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). VDOT has awarded more than $88 million for more than 47 transportation enhancement projects since 1991, ranging from renovations of depots and taverns and landscape and lighting along streetscapes to a statewide Civil War driving tour.
Save America's Treasures. The stewards of historic sites can raise awareness about their preservation efforts by becoming official Save America's Treasures projects. Save America's Treasures, a national historic preservation program, has designated 26 Virginia historic sites as official projects since 1998.
Marketing Grants. Historic sites and museums may partner with regional tourism agencies to apply for financial assistance in promotion and marketing through the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Cooperative Marketing Program and a smaller matching grant funding program. In 2001 an additional $250,000 was made available to support of African American heritage sites and events through a new African American Cooperative Marketing Program, and an additional amount was dedicated for Africa American co-op grants in 2002.