Preservation Idaho is excited to announce the opening of the application cycle for its Historic Properties Mitigation Bank (HPMB) Grant Program. This competitive funding opportunity is designed to support historic preservation projects across Idaho, with up to $50,000 available per award. The deadline to apply is midnight, April 15, 2026.
Funding is made available through the HPMB as part of Idaho’s Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program (LILB), which mitigates adverse effects on historic properties caused by infrastructure development. Preservation Idaho serves as the fund manager for the HPMB in partnership with the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC).
Two Categories of Funding:
Type 1 – General Preservation Projects
- Historic resource surveys
- National Register nominations
- Historic preservation plans and reports
- Brick-and-mortar rehabilitation - *Include preservation easement language for any bricks-and-mortar projects.*
- Thematic studies and historic contexts
- Preservation plans
- Historic structures reports
- Design guidelines
Maximum award: $50,000
Type 2 – Historic Bridge Projects:
- Rehabilitation or repair of NRHP-listed or eligible bridges
- Relocation of historic bridges
Maximum award: $50,000
Background
In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations 36 CFR 800, a Programmatic Agreement (PA) was developed for the Leading Idaho Local Bridge (LILB) program, a program administered by the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC). The PA was prepared in consultation with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), local preservation commissions, historical museum groups, and the statewide preservation non-profit organization, Preservation Idaho. As a result of consultation, it was agreed in Stipulation V.C.2 that a Historic Properties Mitigation Bank (HPMB) would be established to mitigate adverse effects to certain historic properties, Mitigation is required under Section106 because of federal permits granted by the USACE to LHTAC for the LILB program.
Funding Source
Monies for the HPMB are generated by the calculated mitigation cost from each project; the principal funding stream is derived from contributions that are paid in advance on a project-by-project basis into the HPMB for adverse effects to certain historic property types. The calculations are based on the cost for mitigation activities agreed upon in previous MOA and PAs for similar affected resources.
Form Description
This application is for the Historic Properties Mitigation Bank (HPMB) grant program, administered by Preservation Idaho.
Notice of Ineligibility
Please note that the following project types are ineligible for funding:
- new building construction,
- costs for work already completed,
- interpretive displays,
- documentaries,
- general organization support (e.g., website development),
- publications, or
- site operations.
Administration
HPMB funds are held by Preservation Idaho, a 501(c)(3) statewide non-profit organization which was established in 1972. Their mission is to protect Idaho’s historic places through collaboration, education, and advocacy. Preservation Idaho (heretofore referred to as the Fund Manager) appoints and administers a Grant Committee to promote and evaluate applications, to disburse HPMB funds, and to ensure that the mitigation activities are related to the scope and scale of the LILB project(s) or otherwise meet the criteria articulated herein.
The Grant Committee is comprised of interested parties and representatives of appropriate agencies, to meet regularly, and to determine the distribution of the monies to suitable projects. The Committee will be composed of cultural resource professionals and shall include one representative from: a Federal and/or a State Agency, LHTAC, Preservation Idaho, SHPO, a member of a current Certified Local Government (CLG), and a non-voting committee coordination representative from the Fund Manager. In addition, other interested parties may participate in meetings of the Grant Committee but will not participate in deciding how HPMB funds are distributed.
Review and Submission Information
Submission Note: Complete applications will be provided to the Idaho SHPO for a 30-day technical evaluation before being reviewed by the Grant Committee.
Award Notification: Successful applicants must complete a Grant Agreement within 60 days of notification.