Below are resources and links to a few of the possible sources for private foundation grants. Private foundation support – either alone or as a matching component to a government grant – takes research and relationship building. Private foundations often fund institutions and their projects that have missions and goals similar to their own missions and goals. Each locality will also have its own private family foundations interested in supporting work close to home and in the interests of its family members. One of many search tools for foundations can be found here:  Candid.org

After reviewing any private foundation’s guidelines and requirements, discuss potential support with the foundation’s staff before submitting any grant applications.

Al Larvick Conservation Fund
National Grant Deadline: June 1 each year
Regional Deadline: December 1 each year
A grant program for the conservation of home and amateur audiovisual materials (moving image: film and video) and their digital transfers. Grants are open to individuals, institutions and organizations. Grants are open for submission year around and Any application submitted after these respective deadlines will be considered for the following year. More information can be found here.

American Historical Print Collectors Society (AHPCS)
Wendy Shadwell Conservation Grant
Deadline: ongoing
AHPCS provides grants to accredited, nonprofit institutions to preserve American historical prints that are at least 100 years old. Grants are targeted to small institutions that do not have on-site print conservation facilities and are members of AHPCS. More information can be found here.

Bank of America Grant
Deadline: Information will be available in the first quarter of 2025 for the 2025 funding year
The Bank of America Art Conservation Project provides grants to nonprofit museums throughout the world to conserve historically or culturally significant works of art that are in danger of deterioration, including objects that have been designated as national treasures. More information can be found here.

The Bay and Paul Foundations
https://bayandpaulfoundations.org/

Costume Society of America
Travel Research Grant
Deadline: TBD 2023 (last deadline: October 15, 2022)
The CSA Travel Research Grant is an annual award of up to $2,100 intended to assist an individual member to travel and conduct research at a collection, library, archive, museum or other site relevant to further an ongoing research project. More information can be found here.

Costume Society of America
Small Museum Collection Care Grant
Deadline:  October 15th, 2024
The CSA Small Museum Collection Care Grant of $1,500 to assist the costume and textiles of a small institution that has very limited budget or staff. Funding may be used to support the care, conservation, and/or exhibition of costume and textiles that have historic, regional, or other significance and are intended for preservation.  More information can be found here.

Costume Society of America
College and University Collection Care Grant
Deadline: October 15, 2024
The CSA College and University Collection Care Grant of $1500 is intended to assist the costume and textiles collection of a college or university that receives little or no financial support from its institution. Funding may be used to support the care, conservation, and/or instructional mission of a collection of historic, period, or otherwise informative costume and textiles that are intended for preservation and are used for study by an institution that has a degree program in apparel, textiles, or theatre.  More information can be found here.

FAIC/Mellon Photograph Workshop Professional Development Scholarship
Deadlines: Not currently accepting applications
Scholarships are available to help defray the costs of professional development for attendees of international conferences and workshops that focus on photograph conservation. More information can be found here.

FAIC/Tru Vue Conservation and Exhibition Grant
Deadlines: (two dates each year): May 15 and November 1
The goals of this grant program include increasing knowledge of glazing applications, supporting the preservation of collections, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encouraging the involvement of conservators in museum and library collection projects.

Funds are to help defray direct project costs, including contract workers, display fabrication, supplies, and publicity. Up to four awards will be made each year. Each award includes a cash amount of up to $3,000, and a donation of Optium Museum Acrylic or UltraVue Laminated Glass, for use directly related to the conservation and display project. More information can be found here.

FAIC Individual Professional Development Scholarship
Deadlines (three dates each year): February 15, May 15, and September 15
FAIC offers scholarships to help Professional Associates and Fellows defray the costs of professional development. Projects may include attending seminars, courses, and research. More information can be found here.

FAIC Workshop Development Grant
Deadlines (two dates each year): February 15 and September 15
FAIC offers grants to help defray the costs of developing continuing education workshops designed for conservation professionals. More information can be found here.

FAIC Small Meeting Grants
Deadline: September 15
FAIC provides support to help defray the costs of developing and holding small meetings of AIC members. More information can be found here.

FAIC/Tru Vue International Professional Development Scholarship
Deadlines: temporarily suspended
Scholarships are available to help defray the cost of attending international conferences, meetings, workshops, and symposia. More information can be found here.

FAIC/Samuel H. Kress Foundation International Travel Grant for Speakers
Deadline: temporarily suspended
Speakers at AIC’s Annual Meeting may apply for assistance to help defray the costs of international travel. More information can be found here.

FAIC/George Stout Scholarship
Deadline: December 15
George Stout Scholarships help emerging conservators who are members of AIC defray the costs of attending professional meetings. More information can be found here.

FAIC/Kress Foundation AIC Annual Meeting International Scholarships
Deadline: December 15th
Scholarships are available to help individuals from outside North America who wish to attend the AIC Annual Meeting. More information can be found here.

Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC)
https://www.culturalheritage.org/resources/funding 

J. Paul Getty Trust
https://www.getty.edu/foundation/funding-areas/

Jeffris Family Foundation (based in Janesville, WI)
https://www.jeffrisfoundation.org/

Jeffris Heartland Fund
The Jeffris Family Foundation invites applications for matching grants to support the development of important historic preservation projects in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Jeffris Heartland Funds are designated for use in planning projects. More information can be found here.

Jeffris Capital Campaign Challenge Grants
The Jeffris Family Foundation invites partners to apply for Capital Campaign Challenge Grants in order to support the development of important historic preservation projects in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. More information can be found here.

Kress Foundation Conservation Grants
Deadlines (three dates each year): December 15, March 1, and September 1
Eligible non-profit institutions may apply for Conservation Grants to support the professional practice of art conservation. More information can be found here.

Mary Chilton DAR Foundation (based in Sioux Falls, SD)
http://www.dar-marychiltonfoundation.org/thedarfoundation.shtml

Mary Chilton DAR Foundation Grants
Deadlines: three dates each year in early January, May, and September
The present focus of the Mary Chilton Foundation is to assist South Dakota museums, historical societies, and libraries that uphold the goals of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Grants can be used to support the preservation of items with historical significance. More information can be found here.

McKnight Foundation (based in Minnesota)
https://www.mcknight.org/

Preserving America Grant Program
Deadlines: December 15th, 2023
The Preserving America Grant Program was developed by Americana Corner to celebrate American history from 1607 to 1876. This grant provides aid to bolster educational programming, fund conservation projects, and enhance visitor experience. The minimum grant amount is $5,000 and a maximum of $10,000. The mission of this organization and grant program is to rekindle patriotism in the hearts of Americans. More information can be found here.  

Samuel H. Kress Foundation
https://www.kressfoundation.org/

Sunderland Foundation
The Sunderland Foundation currently only accepts grants applications from Eastern Kansas, Western Missouri, Metro Areas of Omaha & Lincoln, Nebraska, and Puget Sound Area, Washington. The mission of the Sunderland Foundation is to improve the quality of life of the listed communities, with an emphasis on assisting populations with the greatest need. More information can be found here.

Thoma Foundation Art of the Spanish Americas Conservation Grant
Deadlines: December 15th, 2024
Initiated by the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation, the Thoma Foundation Art of the Spanish Americas Conservation Grant will award $50,000 annually amongst several applicants selected by a panel of experts in the field. The grant is intended for those working in museums or academic institutions, such as conservators or curators, who want to make significant contributions to the preservation and conservation of art of the Spanish Americas. Applications must include projects that focus on preventive conservation, acquiring new lab equipment, and the development of workshops or symposia. More information can be found here.