RI MATCHING GRANTS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Apply Now for Matching Grants of Up to $10,000!

Preserve Rhode Island (Preserve RI) is excited to announce a grant opportunity for non-profit organizations that own or lease historic buildings. Thanks to The 1772 Foundation, we will distribute matching grants of up to $10,000 for brick-and-mortar projects aimed at preserving our state's historic resources. Read the full grant announcement.

How to Apply

We are currently accepting Letters of Inquiry! The deadline for LOIs is December 4, 2024.

Eligible applicants will be notified on December 16th.

For those invited to apply, official applications will be due February 3rd, 2025 and Awardees will be notified in April 2025

Eligibility Requirements:

Organizations must have a 501(c)(3) IRS designation.
Organizations must own the property or have a long-term lease.
Funding will not be provided for buildings currently used as schools or houses of worship.

Eligible Projects

The matching grants can support a variety of restoration and rehabilitation efforts, including:

Exterior Painting and Surface Restoration
Fire Detection and Security System Upgrades
Repairs to Porches, Roofs, and Windows
Structural Foundation and Sill Repairs
Chimney and Masonry Repointing

Submit a Letter of Inquiry

2024 Grant Awardees

Impact of the Program

Over the past five years, this grant program has funded 72 rehabilitation projects across Rhode Island, empowering non-profits to enhance their historic buildings. In partnership with The 1772 Foundation, last year Preserve Rhode Island awarded $125,000 in matching grants to 17 organizations for essential work on historic structures, including roof replacements, exterior restorations, and fire safety upgrades. Since 2020, we've allocated over $600,000 to support these vital projects, strengthening communities and preserving our rich heritage.

Explore Recent Projects

Check out the photo gallery below to see the transformative work made possible by these grants!

Babcock Smith House

Westerly, RI

Funding for exterior repainting at the Babcock-Smith House Museum. Built in
1734 by Dr. Joshua Babcock, The Museum provides guided tours of the furnished colonial
house, highlighting Dr. Babcock’s contribution to the town and state.

Funding for a fire alarm panel upgrade.
Commissioned by Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II and designed by Richard Morris
Hunt stable in 1895. It is located a half mile from the Breakers, a Gilded Age mansion and
National Historic Landmark. Today this site houses the Preservation Society’s collection of
historic carriages.

The Breakers Stable

Newport, RI

Knight Dairy Barn

Hope, RI

Funding for a conditions assessment.

The Knight Dairy barn was built in 1895 by the Lewis S. Knight family to support their 100-acre
dairy farm. The Knight dairy barn is owned by the Southside Community Land Trust, which will
use these funds as a starting point for a long-term preservation regime.

Fair House

Warwick, RI

Funding for a conditions assessment.

The Fair House was the home to the agricultural and domestic industry state fairs
in the 1820s. The building was renovated in 2014-2016 with a small addition to allow House of
Hope CDC to create more housing for unhoused and persons with mental health and medical
challenges and low incomes.

Rhode Island Latino Arts

Central Falls, RI

Funding for a chimney Rebuild.

Built circa 1895 as a
private residence and doctor’s office, The Adams Library purchased the property in 1996.
Today, Rhode Island Latino Arts activates the building by hosting various programs, events, and artist meetups to support Latino arts, history, and cultural heritage.

Tavern Hall

Kingstown, RI

Funding to replace
upper asphalt shingles.
Tavern Hall, built in 1738 by Elisha Reynolds, is one of the oldest
continuously occupied buildings in the historic Village of Kingston – 286 years old. Since 1911,
the space has been used to foster community with monthly lectures and events. Additionally,
the upper floors supply six below-market apartments.

Howland Barn

Hope, RI

Funding for a fire and security upgrade.

The c. 1912 Howland Barn is listed in the Hope Village Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally part of the property owned by Miss Alice Howland, an important figure and benefactress of Hope Village.

Rose Island Lighthouse

Newport

Funding for replacement of the cast iron roof of the lantern room.

The Rose Island Light, built in 1870 on
Rose Island, is one of a group of New England lighthouses built to an award-winning design by
Vermont architect Albert Dow. In 1984, the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation acquired a
section of Rose Island to restore the property and give the public access to the lighthouse and
the barracks of Fort Hamilton.

Former Crompton Free Library

West Warwick, RI

Funding for exterior repair and repainting.

Built in 1876 the Crompton Free Library served as a
learning center and social space for employees of the Crompton Mill Company, many of whom
were recent immigrants. Since 1993, the former library has been the headquarters of the
Pawtuxet Valley Preservation and Historical Society.

Friends of Island Cemetery

Newport, RI

Funding for new Security and Fire Safety System.

The Friends of Island Cemetery Administrative Building (c. 1905) was
commissioned by the Island Cemetery Board of Trustees in 1901 and designed and built by
Herbert Wilson, an architect local to early Newport. Friends of Island Cemetery recently
completed a restoration of the Belmont Chapel on the cemetery grounds.

Fleur de Lys Building

Providence, RI

Funding for exterior repair and repainting.

The 1885 Fleur de Lys Studios, designed to house artist studios by the Providence
architect Edmund R. Willson for his friend the Rhode Island painter Sydney Richmond Burleigh. Following Burleigh’s death, the building was transferred to the Providence Art Club in 1939 and has been continuously used for artist studios.

Clouds Hill House Museum

Warwick, RI

Funding for ) for porch restoration.

Clouds Hill Museum (originally known as
Cedar Hill), an 1872- 1877 transitional Gothic Revival Italianate home built by Providence architect William R. Walker for Rhode Island textile industrialist William Smith Slater.

Wilcox Barn

Westerly, RI

Funding for exterior restoration.

The Wilcox Park Gardening & Equipment Barn dates prior to 1907 when it was moved into the park from the nearby Moss family estate as the
family stable and carriage shed. Today, there is office and storage space to support the surrounding park and arboretum, which hosts numerous events and programs.

The Grange Hall

Little Compton, RI

Funding for exterior repairs and repainting. This building is part of the Little Compton Commons Historic District. Built in 1894 as part of the nationwide Grange movement, the building was later demolished and reconstructed using mainly original materials.

Day One Office Building

Providence, RI

Funding for masonry repointing. Day One purchased the
building in 2006 and rehabilitated it at a cost of nearly $1 million. This mid-century building sits
just outside the Wayland Square Historic District and stands out for its “soft modernist” features.

Richardson-Waite House

Providence, RI

Funding for exterior repair and repainting.

Owned by ONE|NB, the former mansion provides 10 apartments to
individuals/families earning less than 30-60% of the area's median income.

Aldrich House

Providence, RI

Funding for exterior repair and repainting.

Built in 1822 by John Holden Green as a private residence, the building was presented to the
Rhode Island Historical Society in 1974 and today is used as an exhibit and event space.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Statewide Advocate for Rhode Island's Historic Places

RI MATCHING GRANTS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Apply Now for Matching Grants of Up to $10,000!

How to Apply

Eligible Projects

2024 Grant Awardees

Impact of the Program

Explore Recent Projects

Preserve Rhode Island Headquarters

Lippitt House Museum