APPLICATION DEADLINE: Descendant-Led Preservation Projects
January 17
On behalf of the Out(sider) Preservation Initiative (OPI), we’re excited to announce that grant funding is now available for descendant-led projects that celebrate and preserve historic Black communities through storytelling, arts, and preservation! We’d greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word—please share this opportunity with your networks. We would love to share this information with your members, whether by collaborating on a dedicated event or presenting briefly during one of your existing events or meetings. Let us know how we can support you or your community in connecting with OPI!
As the Project Associate for OPI, based at the University of Virginia’s Center for Cultural Landscapes, I’m honored to help expand the impactful work of the Texas Freedom Colonies Project (TXFCP). For years, TXFCP has supported the preservation of Black settlements in Texas. Now, with Mellon Foundation support, we’re broadening this mission to include communities in Virginia, Louisiana, California, Maryland, DC, North Carolina, and even Black settlements in Canada.
Grant Opportunities:
- Innovator Grants: $250–$10,000 for small, capacity-building projects.
- Arts-Based Place Activation Projects: $25,000–$75,000 for larger creative initiatives reconnecting communities through events, storytelling, and the arts.
Who Should Apply:
- Individuals, nonprofits, and 501(c)(3) groups dedicated to preserving Black placemaking, freedom-seeking, migration, and placekeeping while making a meaningful impact in Texas, California, Virginia, Louisiana, Maryland, DC, North Carolina, and Nova Scotia.
How You Can Help:
- Spread the Word: Share this opportunity with your networks to reach descendant-led groups.
- Collaborate with Us: We’re happy to host webinars or workshops to walk through the application process—virtually or in person!
- Apply: If your project aligns with our mission and eligibility criteria, we encourage you to submit an application.
Learn More:
Visit our Grant Information Page to review eligibility, watch a helpful info session video, and access resources. Start your application here. Applications are due by January 17, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.