National Trust for Historic Preservation — Congressionally Chartered Preservation Nonprofit

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) — incorporated by Congress in the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States Act of 1949 (codified at 54 U.S.C. §§ 304301–304317 as part of the broader National Historic Preservation Act framework) — For the Historic Preservation Fund and Section 106 review process that governs federal agency impacts on historic resources, see historic preservation and antiquities. For the tax credit that incentivizes private rehabilitation of historic buildings, see historic rehabilitation tax credit. is the congressionally chartered nonprofit organization for historic preservation in the United States, functioning as the national membership organization, advocacy body, and property-stewardship institution for the preservation of America's historic and cultural heritage. The National Trust holds a unique dual status: it is a private nonprofit corporation with its own board, membership (over 800,000 members and supporters), and finances — not a federal agency — but was created by act of Congress, receives a federal charter, and has historically received federal matching grants. The NTHP owns and manages approximately 27 historic properties directly (including the Philip Johnson Glass House in New Canaan, CT; Drayton Hall in Charleston, SC; Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, NY; and the Pope-Leighey House in Virginia), provides preservation easements on hundreds of additional properties, administers the Main Street America program (community-based commercial district revitalization in over 1,200 communities), publishes the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list annually (a major advocacy tool since 1988), and manages revolving loan funds, legal defense programs, and grant programs for preservation nationwide. The NTHP's annual budget is approximately $60–75 million, primarily from membership dues, donations, earned revenue from its properties, and programmatic grants — with federal appropriations (historically from the Historic Preservation Fund) forming a declining share since the 1990s. The NTHP operates as the civic hub of the national preservation movement, advocating in Congress, filing amicus briefs in preservation litigation, and training a new generation of preservation professionals.

Current Law (2026)

Legal Authority

• 54 U.S.C. § 304301 — Establishment and purposes: establishes the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States as a charitable, educational, and nonprofit corporation to receive donations of sites, buildings, and objects significant in American history and culture; to preserve and administer these for the benefit of the public; to accept, hold, and administer gifts of money and real and personal property
• 54 U.S.C. § 304302 — Board of trustees: the Trust is governed by a board of trustees consisting of members appointed by the Trust's own governance process (self-perpetuating board), with defined terms; the board exercises all powers of the corporation
• 54 U.S.C. § 304303 — Powers: the Trust may acquire by gift, purchase, or otherwise any real or personal property or interests therein; hold, maintain, use, and operate property; sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of property; sue and be sued; make contracts; receive and administer gifts, bequests, and devises
• 54 U.S.C. § 304304 — Real property transactions: the Trust may acquire, hold, and transfer historic properties; may place preservation restrictions (easements) on properties it transfers to ensure their preservation in perpetuity; easements run with the land and bind all subsequent owners
• 54 U.S.C. § 304305 — Consultation with the Advisory Council: the Trust shall consult with and cooperate with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in carrying out its programs
• 54 U.S.C. § 304306 — Federal tax exemption: the Trust and its income are exempt from federal income taxation; donors may deduct contributions
• 54 U.S.C. § 304307 — Financial obligations of the United States: the United States shall not be liable for any obligation or debt of the Trust; the Trust is financially independent of the federal government
• 54 U.S.C. §§ 304308–304317 — Additional administrative provisions: governance, financial reporting, amendment procedures, preservation programs, and revolving fund authority

Key Programs

The 11 Most Endangered Historic Places — Published annually since 1988, this list draws national media attention to historic resources under imminent threat of demolition or irreversible deterioration. The list does not directly provide funding but serves as an advocacy tool, galvanizing community action, generating media coverage, and sometimes influencing federal or state agency decisions under Section 106 of the NHPA. Over 350 properties have been listed since 1988; approximately 95% have been saved or stabilized. Notable past listings include Pennsylvania Station in Kansas City (saved), the Newark Symphony Hall (saved), numerous Historically Black Colleges and Universities (several saved), and various Civil War battlefields (conservation easements and acquisitions followed).

Main Street America — A network-based approach to commercial district revitalization, originating as the National Main Street Center (established 1977) and now operating as Main Street America (a subsidiary of the NTHP). The program helps communities in 45 states revitalize their historic commercial districts through a four-point approach: design (preservation-sensitive rehabilitation), promotion (retail and event programming), economic vitality (business recruitment and retention), and organization (building a local management structure). The program has documented $108 billion in reinvestment, 650,000+ jobs created or retained, and 170,000+ building rehabilitations since its founding. Main Street America communities must be designated and maintain active local Main Street programs; state programs coordinate and certify local programs; the NTHP provides training, technical assistance, and national advocacy.

Preservation Easements — When a historically significant property is transferred by the Trust to a private owner, the Trust typically retains a preservation easement — a binding legal restriction on the property deed that requires the owner to maintain the property's historic character, consult with the Trust before making alterations, and allow periodic inspections. These easements run with the land in perpetuity, binding all future owners. The NTHP holds easements on hundreds of properties nationally. Easement violations can be enforced by the Trust in court. Donors of preservation easements to the Trust (and to other qualified preservation organizations) may claim a charitable contribution deduction for the value of the restriction.

Revolving Loan Funds — The Trust administers or supports revolving loan funds for preservation projects — pools of capital that provide below-market loans for the rehabilitation of historic properties, with repaid loans recycled into new loans. These funds address the "preservation financing gap": the period between project initiation and the availability of Historic Tax Credit equity, when bridge financing is needed.

Legal Advocacy — The NTHP files amicus curiae briefs in significant preservation cases, advocates in federal rulemaking proceedings affecting historic properties (Section 106 implementing regulations, Preservation Tax Incentive regulations), and maintains a preservation legal team. The Trust was a key participant in landmark cases including Penn Central Transportation Co. v. City of New York (1978), which upheld New York City's Landmarks Law against a Takings Clause challenge and established the constitutional foundation for historic preservation regulation.

Key Numbers

• 1949: Year of congressional charter — 75+ years as a congressionally chartered institution
• 27: NTHP-owned historic properties (2026)
• 1,200+: Main Street America communities in 45 states
• $108 billion: Cumulative Main Street America reinvestment since 1977
• 350+: Properties listed on 11 Most Endangered Historic Places since 1988
• ~95%: Percentage of listed endangered properties saved or stabilized
• 800,000+: NTHP members and supporters
• $60–75 million: Approximate annual budget
• Penn Central (1978): Landmark Supreme Court case in which NTHP filed a key amicus brief upholding historic preservation regulation against Takings Clause challenge

How It Affects You

If you own a historic property: The National Trust is a resource for technical assistance, financing guidance, and preservation easement information. If your property is a significant historic resource and you want to ensure its long-term preservation after you sell or pass it on, a preservation easement donated to or held by the NTHP (or a local land trust that accepts historic easements) is a powerful tool — and the donated value of the easement restriction may be deductible as a charitable contribution. The NTHP can advise on easement structures, valuations, and tax implications.

If you are a downtown business district or local government: Main Street America is the most extensively documented commercial district revitalization program in the United States. If your community has a historic commercial core that is underperforming relative to its assets, a Main Street program offers a structured, proven approach. The first step is typically working with your state's Main Street coordinator (most states have a state-level program affiliated with Main Street America) to assess whether your district qualifies for designation. Main Street programs are particularly effective in small and medium-sized cities with pre-automobile-era downtown fabric.

If you are a preservation professional, nonprofit, or state agency: The NTHP provides professional development (Preservation Leadership Training), annual conferences (PastForward), and publication of Preservation magazine and technical bulletins. The Trust's legal defense team can provide amicus support or consultation in significant preservation cases. The NTHP's Government Affairs office is a key advocacy partner for federal Historic Preservation Fund appropriations, Historic Tax Credit program preservation, and Section 106 regulatory protection.

If you follow nonprofit law or congressionally chartered organizations: The National Trust is one of approximately 60 congressionally chartered organizations (others include the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, National Academy of Sciences). Congressional chartering is a form of federal recognition and credentialing, not control — the NTHP operates independently of federal direction, has its own governance, raises its own funds, and is not subject to federal civil service or procurement rules. The federal charter primarily establishes the entity's existence and authorizes it to receive federal matching grants.

Pending Legislation (119th Congress)

• Historic Preservation Fund reauthorization: The Historic Preservation Fund (54 U.S.C. §§ 303101–303103), which provides grants to State Historic Preservation Offices and the NTHP, must be periodically reauthorized; NTHP advocates for increased funding levels (currently capped well below authorized levels) and for extending the Fund's authorization horizon
• Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act: Bipartisan legislation to increase the Historic Tax Credit from 20% to 30% for small projects and make other adjustments; NTHP is a leading advocate; introduced in 119th Congress with bipartisan support
• Main Street America funding: Proposals to provide dedicated federal funding for Main Street America through Community Development Block Grants or a dedicated appropriation, beyond the current NTHP-administered model
• Preservation easement reform: IRS has challenged the deductibility of some conservation and preservation easements as overvalued; legislation to clarify standards and protect legitimate preservation easements from IRS scrutiny is a priority for NTHP

Recent Developments

The NTHP has increasingly focused its advocacy on the intersection of historic preservation and equity — recognizing that the traditional preservation movement has sometimes protected wealthy, predominantly white neighborhoods while neglecting historically Black, Latino, Indigenous, and immigrant communities whose cultural heritage is equally significant but less formally protected. Programs like the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (launched 2017, raised $25M+) provide grants to preserve and interpret sites significant to African American history and culture, including dozens of sites associated with the Civil Rights Movement, Reconstruction, and slavery.

The Trump administration's second-term DOGE-related budget proposals have included reductions to the Historic Preservation Fund — which funds State Historic Preservation Offices that administer Section 106 review and the National Register of Historic Places — creating concern among preservation advocates about the continuity of the federal-state preservation partnership. The NTHP has been an active voice opposing cuts to the HPF and to other preservation-related programs.