Rhode Island Matching Grants for Historic Preservation

A partnership between Preserve Rhode Island and The 1772 Foundation to provide funding for non- profit organizations completing historic preservation projects.

Are you a non-profit organization that utilizes or maintains an old or historic building? If you are planning on completing a preservation project, you may be eligible to apply for up to $10,000 in matching funds.

The 2024 grant cycle is closed. Look for an announcement on the 2025 matching grant program in fall 2024.

Funding is provided for the following types of projects:

Exterior painting, finishes and surface restoration
Install or upgrade fire detection, lightning protection, and security systems
Repairs to/restoration of porches, roofs, and windows
Structural foundation and sill repair/replacement
Chimney and masonry repointing

Click here to read the full grant announcement. Information sessions are available upon request.

Please note that active schools and churches do not qualify. If you have any questions about the program or eligibility, please contact 1772@preserveri.org for more information.

2023 Grant Awardees

In 2023, Preserve Rhode Island (Preserve RI), partnering for a fourth year with The 1772 Foundation, awarded one-for-one matching grants totaling $125,000 to 16 nonprofit organizations maintaining historic buildings in Rhode Island. The grants ranged in amounts from $3,000 to the grant maximum of $10,000. Grants were provided for exterior repair and restoration, including painting, surface restoration, chimneys, roofs, windows, foundations and sills, masonry repointing, and installation of fire/security systems. Please see this year's recipients below:

The Dreyfus Building

Providence

AS220 received $10,000 in funding towards exterior masonry repairs on the 1890 Dreyfus Building. Once a hotel, this building was restored by AS220’s and is now used for offices, archives, affordable live/work studios, gallery spaces and a restaurant.

Beavertail Lighthouse

Jamestown

Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association received $8,450 towards exterior repairs and repainting on the 1856 buildings that constitutes the United States 3rd oldest lighthouse. These buildings are now home to a museum which offers a collection of information and artifacts allowing visitors to engage with maritime and lighthouse.

Borders Farm

Foster

Borders Farm received $10,000 towardswindow restoration at the 1840 Phillips house on Borders Farm. This building offers a well-preserved example of family farm life that typified northwestern Rhode Island in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse

East Providence

Friends of Pomham Rocks received $10,000 towards the installation of operable shutters on all 19 windows of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. This repair will bring the lighthouse back to its original character and protect the structure from extreme weather elements.

Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum

Saunderstown

Gilbert Stuart Memorial Inc. received $10,000 toward the roof repair and chimney repointing at the George Phillips House and snuff mill. Currently these two structures operate as a museum to educate the public on the life and career of Gilbert Stuart as well as historic architecture and technology of the time.

The Job Armstrong Store

Glocester

The Glocester Heritage Society received $3,000 towards several exterior repairs including weatherstripping, foundation and siding repair at the 1812 Job Armstrong Store and headquarters of the Glocester Heritage Society.

Watson Farm Barn

Jamestown

Historic New England received $10,000 toward the roof replacement on the Watson Farm main barn. The 1796 barn is still active today and reflects typical eighteenth and nineteenth-century farm buildings of traditional New England design.

Caretaker's Cottage at the Smith-Appleby House

Smithfield

Historical Society of Smithfield received $10,000 towards exterior repairs to the caretaker’s cottage which dates to the 1800’s and is now used as office space for the Historical Society of Smithfield.

Hope & Main

Warren

Hope & Main has received $10,000 towards the repair of crumbling soffits, sills and facia on the Hope & Main building. The 1915 building was transformed in 2010 into the state’s first culinary incubator and the region’s largest food business incubator, supporting over 450 businesses in less than 10 years through affordable, accessible access to code-compliant food production facilities.

The Meeting House

Hopkinton

The Hopkinton Historical Association received $3,500 toward the installation of a new security system and new front door at the 1790 Meeting House. This building is the current headquarters for the Hopkinton Historical Association and is used as a museum and to host speaker series on local history

Jamestown Museum

Jamestown

Jamestown Historical Society received $6,500 towards exterior repainting and storm window repair on the 1885 one-room schoolhouse which now serves as a museum and meeting space.

The Jonny Cake Center

Westerly

The Jonnycake Center of Westerly has received $3,250 towards the repair of roof drains. The Jonnycake Center building was once home to Guild Guitars and now is used to provide a continuum of services to the surrounding communities. This project will ensure that the building does not experience further water damage.

Peter Harrison's Brick Market

Newport

Newport Historical Society (Newport) -- the repair and restoration of wooden windows and exterior trim on the 1762 Peter Harrison's Brick Market and current home of the Museum of Newport History.

The Mary Mowry House

Smithfield

Revive the Roots received $10,000 towards the roof replacement at the Mary Mowry House. As part of Revive the Roots ongoing stewardship of the house, which is central to their mission to create ecologically regenerative and dynamic social spaces through the education and practice of permaculture.

Sojourner House

Providence

Sojourner House received $10,000 towards the renovation of roof dormers at the 1876 late Victorian house bult by Amos Fiske and located in the Armory Historic District. Sojourner House recently acquired this building as their new headquarters and office spaces.

South County Art Association

Kingstown

The South County Art Association received $5,300 towards the installation of new fire panels at the 1829 Helme House and 1759 Annex building which now functions as community art spaces.

2022 Awardees

In 2022, Preserve RI and The 1772 Foundation administered grants to fourteen organizations whose projects play a crucial role in protecting and stabilizing important historic resources in Rhode Island. All projects are listed below.

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The Statewide Advocate for Rhode Island's Historic Places

Rhode Island Matching Grants for Historic Preservation

A partnership between Preserve Rhode Island and The 1772 Foundation to provide funding for non- profit organizations completing historic preservation projects.

2023 Grant Awardees

2022 Awardees

Preserve Rhode Island Headquarters

Lippitt House Museum