The Texas Historical Commission is ready to help nonprofit organizations impacted by weather events. On this page, you will find sources of funding assistance for nonprofits, project review requirements for designated historic properties, and technical preservation assistance resources. If we can offer further guidance, please contact the Division of Architecture at 512-463-6094.
Funding Assistance
- Hurricane Harvey Disaster Assistance
The National Park Service (NPS) has awarded Texas a $12.3 grant for historic preservation projects. The emergency grant program will address damage inflicted by Hurricane Harvey. The Texas Historical Commission is managing the grant program for the State of Texas. - Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance
Certain private nonprofit organizations, such as educational, utility, irrigation, emergency, medical, rehabilitation, and temporary or permanent custodial care facilities may receive Public Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).- FEMA Assistance for Hurricane Harvey
FEMA's resource specifically for Texans affecting by Hurricane Harvey provides information about applying for assistance, tips for cleaning up, information about the National Flood Insurance Program, and more. - FEMA Assistance for Houses of Worship
FEMA recently revised its policies to expand Public Assistance eligibility to houses of worship. To be eligible, a house of worship must be owned or operated by a private nonprofit organization and must also apply to the Small Business Administration for a loan. To apply for FEMA assistance, submit a request for Public Assistance, available at grants.dps.texas.gov/site/Forms.cfm. The deadline for applications was February 4, 2018.
- FEMA Assistance for Hurricane Harvey
- Texas Division of Emergency Management
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) coordinates the state emergency management program, which is intended to ensure the state and its local governments respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters, and implement plans and programs to help prevent or lessen the impact of emergencies and disasters.- Texas Hurricane Center
The Texas Hurricane Center has information on a variety of types of assistance available to those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
- Texas Hurricane Center
- Small Business Administration
Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to nonprofit organizations. SBA disaster loans are the primary source of federal long-term disaster recovery funds for disaster damages not fully covered by insurance or other compensation. - Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program
The Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit (THPTC) program can provide financial relief for property owners, by offsetting financial costs related to post-disaster recovery of designated historic buildings. The program is available to nonprofit organizations. - National Endowment for the Humanities Grants
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) will award emergency grants to preserve humanities collections and help restore operations at nonprofits. - Economic Development Administration
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity will help communities and regions devise and implement long-term economic recovery strategies through a variety of non-construction and construction projects to address economic challenges in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. - Additional funding resources are listed in the Funding and Assistance for Preservation Projects guide.
Resources for Museums and Cultural Institutions
- National Heritage Responders
The National Heritage Responders (NHR) - responds to the needs of cultural institutions during emergencies and disasters through coordinated efforts with first responders, state agencies, vendors, and the public.. Additionally, many of Heritage Preservation's critical programs transitioned to this organization following its dissolution in 2015. - THC Museum Services
Staff can provide assistance to museums that are recovering from a disaster by providing information and resources. Museum Services also produced webinars and handouts on emergency preparedness and response.
State Review of Work to Designated Historic Properties
If your building is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, the Texas Historical Commission must review permanent exterior repairs. Please contact the Division of Architecture at 512-463-6094 or find the Architecture contact for your county. Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks are marked with a medallion and plate or historical marker listing "Recorded Texas Historic Landmark" at the bottom of the inscription. If in doubt, visit the Historic Sites Atlas or contact THC staff to determine if your building has a historic designation.
Other designations may also require THC oversight but are less common for private property. These include designation as a State Antiquities Landmark and preservation covenants and easements. See the Project Review portion of our website for more information.
Listing in the National Register of Historic Places imposes no restrictions on property owners, but THC staff can offer technical preservation assistance if requested.
Technical Preservation Assistance Resources
There are a wide variety of resources that provide practical steps in preparing for and recovering from a disaster. Because these resources are useful for any property owner, regardless of what they own, they are listed together. Learn more about Technical Preservation Assistance.
