2025 Top U.S. Grants for Black Churches: Church Preservation & Community Development

Black churches in the United States are more than just places of worship, they are historical landmarks and pillars of community resilience. Thankfully, there are a number of grant programs available to help these churches preserve their legacy, strengthen their ministries, and support their communities.

Here’s a list of key grant opportunities specifically designed for Black churches.

Preservation & Capital Improvement Grants

1. Preserving Black Churches

Focus Area: Historic preservation, capital projects, programming, interpretation, capacity building, and financial sustainability

• Grant Size: $50,000–$500,000
• Who It’s For: Historic Black churches—either with active congregations or being repurposed for community use
• More Info:
  Preserving Black Churches Program
  Guidelines & Eligibility

2. National Fund for Sacred Places

Focus Area: Major preservation projects for historic churches, with added support for project planning and fundraising

• Grant Size: $50,000–$500,000
• Who It’s For: Houses of worship undertaking once-in-a-generation capital projects
• When to Apply: Opens annually in January
• Details: fundforsacredplaces.org/apply

3. Save America’s Treasures & African American Civil Rights (NPS)

Focus Area: Historic research, documentation, education, preservation planning, and physical restoration

• Who It’s For: States, tribes, local governments, Certified Local Governments, and nonprofits
• More Info: NPS Application Page

Capacity-Building & Ministry Innovation Grants

4. Lilly Endowment – Thriving Congregations Initiative

Focus Area: Helping churches thrive amid cultural change through strategic planning and ministry adaptation

• Grant Size: Up to $1.25 million (awarded to intermediaries such as seminaries and denominations)
• Who It’s For: Black-church networks and historically Black denominations (as partners or participants)
• More Info: thrivingcongregations.org

5. Lilly Endowment – Religious Institutions & Networks

Focus Area: Leadership development, preaching, youth ministry, theological education, and community engagement

• Who It’s For: Historically Black denominations, networks, and institutions
• Details: Lilly Endowment Guidelines

6. The Duke Endowment – Rural Church Program

Focus Area: Clergy support, church strengthening, and rural community development

• Who It’s For: Methodist and historically Black rural churches in North and South Carolina
• Deadlines: May 10 and October 3
• More Info: dukeendowment.org/rural-church

Youth & Community Impact Grants

7. NBA Foundation Grants

Focus Area: Job readiness, skill-building, career advancement for underserved Black youth

• Who It’s For: Nonprofits, including faith-based programs working with youth
• Next Application Window: October 1 – November 14, 2025
• More Info: nbafoundation.com

8. Jack & Jill of America Foundation

Focus Area: Education, housing insecurity, health and wellness, and strengthening African American families

• Grant Size: $5,000–$25,000
• Application Window: January 1 – March 15
• Who It’s For: Programs serving African American communities
• Details: jackandjillfoundation.org/how-to-apply

9. Black Community Commitment Grant (Michael Jordan & Nike)

Focus Area:

• Economic Justice: Building generational wealth
• Education: Reform and inclusivity in schools
• Narrative Change: Raising awareness of racism’s impact
• Social Justice: Policy reform and advocacy
• Who It’s For: Black-led organizations, including faith-based nonprofits
• Next Round Opens: January
• More Info: nike.com/jordan/purpose/community-grants

From preserving historic buildings to launching youth employment programs, these grants offer powerful ways for Black churches to sustain their legacy and expand their impact. Be sure to align your mission with the funders’ goals and if you need help writing a compelling grant proposal, use AI grant writing tool GrantOrb.com (https://grantorb.com), that writes an expert level proposal in minutes