Cane River National Heritage Area (CRNHA) is accepting proposals for its 2026–2027 Façade Improvement Grant Program, a competitive grant opportunity supporting the preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings throughout Natchitoches Parish.
Grants of up to $5,000 are available for eligible exterior improvements to qualifying historic properties. All awards require a minimum 1:1 match, meaning applicants must provide at least $1 in eligible matching contributions for every $1 awarded by CRNHA. Eligible match may include cash, non-federal funding, donated materials or professional services, and documented volunteer labor.
Important Dates
Letter of Intent / Pre-Application Period: October 12 – November 9, 2026
Full Application Deadline: January 11, 2027
Grant Awards Announced: February 1, 2027
Project Completion & Closeout Deadline: October 4, 2027
Letter of Intent/Pre-Application: Letter of Intent/Pre-Application
Full Program Guidelines: Program Guidelines
Who Can Apply?
Eligible properties must be located within Natchitoches Parish and must be:
- Individually listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; or
- Located within a National Register Historic District, the Heritage Area and identified as a contributing resource.
Eligible properties include commercial, rental, mixed-use, and other income-producing historic properties, as well as qualifying properties owned or operated by nonprofit organizations, religious institutions, and governmental entities.
Vacant historic commercial or income-producing properties may be eligible when there is an intended commercial, rental, mixed-use, or other income-producing use.
Owner-occupied private residences are not eligible for this grant cycle. Tenants and lessees may apply with written authorization from the property owner. Properties that are actively for sale or under contract for sale are not eligible.
Not sure about your property's historic status? CRNHA staff can assist with determining eligibility during the pre-application process.
What Can Be Funded?
Eligible projects generally involve the preservation, repair, or rehabilitation of historic exterior building features, including:
- Exterior painting and surface preparation;
- Historic brick and masonry repair;
- Historic window, door, shutter, and transom restoration;
- Historic siding repair;
- Porch, gallery, column, railing, cornice, and architectural trim restoration;
- Historic storefront restoration and rehabilitation;
- Restoration of documented missing or altered historic features;
- Historically appropriate awnings; and
- Historically appropriate exterior lighting.
The repair and retention of existing historic materials is preferred over replacement whenever feasible.
This is a historic preservation grant, not a general property improvement program. Roofing, signage, landscaping, parking lots and driveways, interior renovations, accessibility improvements, HVAC and plumbing systems, appliances, new construction, and general property maintenance are not eligible.
For complete eligibility requirements and eligible/ineligible expenses, please review the Full Façade Improvement Grant Program Guidelines.
How to Apply
The program uses a two-step application process.
Step 1: Letter of Intent / Pre-Application
Potential applicants must submit a Letter of Intent / Pre-Application between October 12 and November 9, 2026.
CRNHA will review the property and proposed project for basic eligibility. Applicants whose projects appear eligible will be invited to submit a full application.
Applicants who do not submit a Letter of Intent by November 9 will not be eligible to submit a full application during this grant cycle.
Letter of Intent / Pre-Application
Step 2: Full Application
Invited applicants must submit a completed application by January 11, 2027. Grant awards are anticipated to be announced February 1, 2027.
Submission or approval of a Letter of Intent does not guarantee funding.
Before You Begin Work
Do not begin work or purchase materials in anticipation of receiving a grant.
All awarded projects must complete applicable Section 106/State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) review and Historic District Commission (HDC) review, when applicable. CRNHA will assist successful applicants through this process.
A grant award does not authorize work to begin. Applicants must receive written authorization from CRNHA before beginning work or purchasing project materials.
Questions?
For questions about the program or property eligibility, contact:
Logan Schlatre, Director of Programs
Cane River National Heritage Area
LSchlatre@CaneRiverNHA.org
