Barn Grant Program

See below for application information, guidelines, and frequently asked questions.

July, 2025

The Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce the opening of our 2026 Barn Grant Program. This program awards matching grants of up to $2,500 to fund barn repair and restoration projects which meet our criteria for historic preservation. Barn Grant Program Guidelines and Application Form for 2026 projects are now available using the links below. The application period for 2026 grants is from July through November 1, 2025. Grant award notifications will be made in March, 2026, for repair work to be undertaken after award notification.

The goal of the HBFF Barn Grant Program is to encourage maintenance and repair of old barns and other agricultural buildings using materials and methods which preserve their historic character. This historic preservation focus is more exacting than simple, expedient repair. We require applicants to provide enough detail about the proposed scope of work to show that it complies with the US Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties, which lays out the guiding principles for historic preservation in the United States. The USI Standards define a restoration approach in which historic materials, features, and finishes are retained, repaired, or replaced-in-kind to the fullest extent possible. Examples of compliance with this approach include use of a lime restoration mortar (as opposed to a standard Portland cement mortar mix) for repair of stone masonry, or replacing damaged and missing slate shingles with new material of the same material, shape, and size.

Now at the start of its fourth year, the HBFF Barn Grant Program has made a difference in Pennsylvania, awarding grants to help fund 16 barn repair projects in 12 counties. More information about the grant program may be found below. HBFF accepts donations to support the Barn Grant Program. Anyone interested in donating to the program may reach out to the grant committee at hbffbarngrant@gmail.com.

BARN GRANT APPLICATION & GUIDELINES:

DEADLINE FOR 2026 GRANT APPLICATIONS IS NOVEMBER 1, 2025.
See links below for application information.

HBFF 2026 Barn Grant Guidelines

HBFF Barn Grant Application

Sample Barn Grant Application

Contact us! Official Barn Grant Program Contact Form

Please Note: The HBFF does not maintain a list of qualified contractors or offer recommendations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – HBFF Barn Grant Program:

1. When are grant applications due?
   Grant applications are due by November 1 for each annual grant submission cycle.
   
2. When are grant awards announced?
   Grant awards are announced the following March for each grant submission cycle. 
   
3. Are there exceptions for late applications?
   No, any late applications should be resubmitted the following year.
   
4. Where can I learn more about how to fill out the grant application form?
   Answers to many questions may be found in the HBFF 2026 Barn Grant Guidelines. Questions which are not addressed in the guidelines should be submitted in writing to hbffbarngrant@gmail.com.  
   
5. Are other out buildings on my farm eligible for the grant program?
   Maybe. The HBFF Barn Grant Program primarily supports the preservation of barns, however, outbuildings of significance may be considered if they are integral parts of the historic farm complex and used for the storage of crops, implements, or farm products.
   
6. Where can I find a link to the grant application form?
   Links to grant application forms are posted late summer at the beginning of each annual grant submission cycle.
   HBFF 2026 Grant Application Form
   
7. Can I apply for a grant to support preservation work that has already started or is already completed?
   No. Grant applications will only be accepted for preservation projects that have not yet started.
   
8. What is the maximum grant award amount?
   The Barn Grant Program awards matching grants up to $2,500.00 for approved projects.
   
9. What are the Secretary of Interior’s Standards? 
   According to the National Park Service: “The purpose of The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings (2017) is to provide guidance to historic building owners and building managers, preservation consultants, architects, contractors, and project reviewers prior to beginning work. It is always recommended that preservation professionals be consulted early in any project.” A full suite of documents is available here: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/secretary-standards-treatment-historic-properties.htm
   
10. Does the Barn Grant Program fund renovations or adaptive reuse projects?
    No. Grants are awarded for preservation of historic barns, and cannot be used to fund modernization, change of use, or other non-preservation projects.
    
11. Do you keep a list of qualified contractors?
    HBFF and the Barn Grant Program does not maintain a list of qualified contractors or offer recommendations.
    
12. How can I reach a representative of the Barn Grant Program?
    Send an email to hbffbarngrant@gmail.com. A member of the Barn Grant Committee will respond.
    
13. Where can I find a copy of a successful barn grant application?
    A sample application can be found here.