About Us

The African American Heritage Preservation Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization, that is dedicated to the preservation of African American history and historical sites was established in June 1994 by E. Renée Ingram. The Foundation was created as a result of Ms. Ingram's efforts to preserve her family's cemetery, an endangered rural cemetery, which ultimately was placed on the Commonwealth of Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. The Stanton Family Cemetery was the first free African American privately held cemetery to be placed on these registers in the country.

Mission

The African American Heritage Preservation Foundation, Inc. has been engaged in activities that include the preservation, maintenance, and awareness of endangered or little-known African American historical sites primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Regions. In addition, the Foundation acts as a resource center for community groups, preservationists, genealogical and historical societies, not-for-profit organizations and government entities, nationwide, needing assistance in the preservation of African American historical sites and history. The Foundation's website provides information on its current and past activities and serves as a research tool that is used by teachers and students ranging from middle school through postgraduate studies.

Goal

The African American Heritage Preservation Foundation, Inc. (AAHPF) is developing a new African American Endangered Sites Fund matching grant program for fiscal year 2024 that will support projects that enable the preservation and restoration of endangered African American historic properties and rehabilitate, protect, and foster economic development of these sites within their respective communities.

Our initial fundraising goal of $250,000 is needed for the fiscal year 2024. A maximum of 4 grants per fiscal year will be granted to eligible organizations. The African American Endangered Sites Fund can be used to assist with other historic preservation matching grant programs.

The grants require a one-to-one match from the grant recipient. Eligible applicants must have a 501(c) 3 IRS designation. 

Eligible activities include: exterior painting, finishes and surface restoration; fire detection, lightning protection and security systems; repair and restoration of porches, roofs and windows; repairs to foundations and sills; and chimney and masonry repointing.

To demonstrate the sustainability of historic sites, applicants will be required to submit a cyclical maintenance plan, condition assessment, restoration plan or stewardship plan that has been prepared or updated within the last two years.

We are unable to accept letters of inquiry or applications at this time; however, we will provide additional information in the very near future.