Tennessee Civil Wars Grant Cycle Open

The Tennessee Wars Commission has announced the August 10th, 2026 opening of this year’s grant cycle for the Civil War Sites Preservation Fund. This fund is provided by legislation to the Tennessee Historical Commission, whose board approves and awards Civil War Sites Preservation Fund grants. $2.3 million in funding will be available from the Civil War Sites Preservation Fund this year.

The Civil War Sites Preservation Fund, begun in 2013, is a key source for matching funds for the acquisition and preservation of properties associated with the 38 most significant Civil War sites in Tennessee. Additionally, grants can assist in funding the acquisition and protection of Underground Railroad sites eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or eligible for designation as a National Historic Landmark.

Applicants must be a 501 (c) (3) non-profit. This grant will pay a one-to-one, 50 percent match where the grantee provides the match from a non-state source.

The deadline for submissions is October 31st, 2026. The grant application process is digital, through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Grant Management System.