State-funded Barn Preservation Grant program helps individuals, municipalities, and non-profit organizations to rehabilitate the historic agricultural buildings that are a symbol of Vermont’s rural landscape.
Donor Name: Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/01/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Since its inception, the program has provided over $5 million towards the preservation of over 525 historic barns and agricultural outbuildings around the state. Preservation of these buildings not only protects Vermont’s agricultural and architectural legacies, but it also generates jobs, supports independent businesses, increase civic participation, and bolsters a community’s sense of place while enhancing the experience of visitors.
Funding Information
This year $300,000 in one-to-one matching grants are available. Awards are for capital building projects that preserve historic agricultural buildings. The largest grant available in 2026 is $20,000
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants are political subdivisions of the State of Vermont (municipalities) taxexempt non-profit organizations, businesses, and individuals.
- Properties must be historic. This means they must be listed or determined eligible for listing in the State Register of Historic Places (SR).
- Funding is not available for rehabilitation work that is complete or in progress. Starting work on a project before a grant agreement is in place may result in the loss of grant funding.
- This is a reimbursement grant program. Grant recipients are responsible for paying for the full amount of the project. The state will then reimburse grant recipients once work is complete and paid for.
- Ineligible projects include new construction and additions. Electrical, plumbing or heating projects are also not eligible. The program does not fund accessibility or code improvement work. Barns do not need to be in active agricultural use to qualify. However, adaptively re-used barns must still retain their historic character.
- Planning projects are generally not eligible for funding. In cases where a small amount of planning is necessary for the success of a project, planning costs may be eligible for funding, but only as a part of the entire project. The owner must share these costs.
- In-town carriage barns built as or used as garages are not considered agricultural buildings. They are NOT eligible for this program. While these structures often housed horses, they were primary constructed for transportation needs and did not support an agricultural operation.
- Funding to re-erect dismantled barns may be awarded in some circumstances. Consideration will be given to how the barn was disassembled, including the level of documentation. Typically, projects that propose to move a barn will not be funded. If a barn has been moved, or must be moved to ensure its preservation, contact the VDHP before applying.
- Applicants may receive more than one grant through this program. However, if you received a 2025 grant you are not eligible to apply for a 2026 grant. Applicants are also not eligible for a grant if they have not yet completed work funded by a previous grant.
For more information, visit Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
