Grants for Cemetery Associations 2026: What Actually Pays
Quick Answer: If you're on the board of a nonprofit cemetery association, the straight answer is that federal grants for cemeteries are scarce, and the money that exists comes mainly from state historic cemetery programs, local governments, lot owners and private foundations that report giving on IRS Form 990-PF.
Full answer and how we checked it
Washington's historic cemetery grant offered up to $50,000 per project for 2025 to 2027, and Florida offers up to $50,000 with no match for abandoned African-American cemeteries. Foundations face a special IRS rule when they give to cemetery companies, so the way you ask matters.
This guide is for volunteer boards, sextons and treasurers of rural, church-adjacent and community cemeteries, and for friends groups trying to restore an old burial ground. It explains which public programs are real, how the tax rules shape foundation giving, and how to structure a request that a foundation can actually approve.
Data note: Foundation counts come from Grantsights analysis of IRS Form 990-PF grant records tagged to community and civic causes, grouped by recipient state and pulled October 29, 2026, with filings mostly from tax years 2023 through 2025.
In this guide (11 sections)
- 2 Tax Rules Every Cemetery Board Should Know
- Federal Money: Real but Narrow
- State Cemetery Grant Programs: 3 Verified Examples
- Pricing a 3-Phase Restoration Project
- Which Foundations Fund Cemeteries: What 990-PF Filings Show
- What the IRS Doesn't Tell You About Asking for Cemetery Money
- Common Mistakes in Cemetery Grant Requests
- A 12-Month Cemetery Association Funding Plan
- Related Guides for Heritage and Community Groups
- FAQ: Common Questions
- Sources
Foundations near you already fund this work. See three in your state that take requests, with how to apply. Free, about a minute.
Foundations that fund this work
25,620 private foundations gave to community foundations, civic clubs, fire companies, veterans groups and historical societies
From their own IRS Form 990-PF filings (tax years 2019 to 2025). Pick your state to see who gave there, with one foundation in full. About the list
Across the US, these foundations gave 127,765 grants totaling $6,735,961,007.
Historical giving does not establish an open application or eligibility for your organization. For-profit operators should check each foundation's applicant rules before buying.
The full list names all 25,620, state by state: what each gave, to whom, for what, and a link to its filings. One payment, no subscription.
Cemetery source review, Grantsights, October 29, 2026: Grantsights checked IRS Publication 5861 (opens in a new tab) on cemetery companies, the IRS expenditure responsibility page, VA's headstone and Veterans Legacy Grants pages, a VA forecast on Grants.gov, the Washington, Oregon and Florida cemetery grant programs, and 990-PF filings. Where official sources stop: each state explains its own program. None explains why a family foundation's lawyer might hesitate at a cemetery request.
2 Tax Rules Every Cemetery Board Should Know
The 4 rows below come from a 2024 revision of the IRS technical guide. Nonprofit cemetery companies are often exempt under Section 501(c)(13) rather than 501(c)(3). According to IRS Publication 5861 (opens in a new tab), the technical guide on cemetery companies, 501(c)(13) covers cemetery companies owned and operated exclusively for the benefit of their members or not operated for profit. That status changes how donors and foundations can give.
| Rule | What Publication 5861 says | What it means for fundraising |
|---|---|---|
| Individual gifts | Section 170(c)(5) allows deductions for voluntary contributions to 501(c)(13) cemetery companies dedicated to care of the cemetery as a whole | Ask donors for gifts to the whole cemetery's care, not their family's lot |
| Lot-specific care | A donor can't deduct a gift for perpetual care of a particular lot or crypt | Keep lot care payments separate from donations |
| Estate and gift tax | Bequests or gifts to 501(c)(13) cemeteries aren't deductible for federal estate and gift tax | Plan legacy giving with that limit in mind |
| Private foundations | An unrestricted contribution from a private foundation to an exempt cemetery company not described in 170(c)(2)(B) isn't a qualifying distribution and is a taxable expenditure (Rev. Rul. 80-97) | Unrestricted foundation gifts to a 501(c)(13) cemetery are a red flag to the foundation |
That last row explains a lot of polite refusals. It doesn't mean foundations can't help. According to the IRS page on expenditure responsibility (opens in a new tab), a foundation that exercises expenditure responsibility makes reasonable efforts and sets up procedures to see that a grant is spent only for its stated purpose, gets full reports from the grantee, and reports the spending to the IRS.
In plain terms, a foundation that wants to fund your fence restoration can do it with a written agreement and reporting, or by giving to a 501(c)(3) partner such as a historical society, a church or a community foundation fund that holds money for the cemetery. Ask your accountant which setup fits before you send letters.
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Federal Money: Real but Narrow
Specifically, VA's Veterans Legacy Grants Program forecast on Grants.gov (opens in a new tab), posted July 6, 2026, lists estimated total funding of $2,200,000 for about 10 awards from $50,000 to $400,000. VA says the program funds research, educational materials and community engagement about veterans interred in VA national cemeteries and VA grant-funded state and tribal veterans cemeteries.
| Federal program | Fits a community cemetery? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans Legacy Grants Program | Rarely | Limited to VA national cemeteries and VA-funded state and tribal veterans cemeteries; eligible applicants are schools, universities, 501(c)(3) nonprofits and states |
| VA headstones and markers | Yes, for eligible veterans' graves | A memorial benefit, not a grant |
| Historic Preservation Fund | Indirectly | Formula grants go to states and tribes, which set their own priorities |
According to USAspending.gov (opens in a new tab), the Veterans Legacy Grants Program obligated about $1.9 million in FY2025. That's a small, specific program, and a private cemetery association usually isn't eligible. Don't apply unless your project involves a VA national cemetery or a VA-funded state or tribal veterans cemetery.
VA markers for veterans' graves
According to VA's headstones and markers page (opens in a new tab), a veteran who didn't receive a dishonorable discharge may be eligible for a government headstone or marker when, among other conditions, the veteran was buried in an unmarked grave anywhere in the world. Requests use VA Form 40-1330. If your survey finds unmarked veterans' graves, working with families or researchers on these claims can mark graves without spending restoration money.
The Historic Preservation Fund through your state
According to the National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund page (opens in a new tab), the fund provides annual formula grants to states and tribes and competitive grants through partnerships with state and tribal historic preservation offices, local communities and preservation organizations. Ask your state historic preservation office whether it offers subgrants and whether cemeteries qualify. Listing can matter: Oregon's state program, for example, is limited to listed historic cemeteries.
State Cemetery Grant Programs: 3 Verified Examples
State programs are where most public cemetery money is. These three were confirmed on official state pages on October 29, 2026:
| State | Program | Award size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Historic Cemetery Preservation Capital Grant | Up to $50,000 per award for the 2025 to 2027 biennium | Established in 2016; managed with the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation; current cycle closed |
| Oregon | Historic Cemeteries Grant | Generally $1,000 to $8,000 | 2026 deadline was April 9, 2026; for listed historic cemeteries; paid by reimbursement; no match required |
| Florida | Abandoned African-American Cemeteries Grants | Up to $50,000, no match | Submission period June 1 to July 10, 2026 for FY2028 funding; for qualified nonprofits and local governments |
Washington's program page (opens in a new tab) says the capital grant aims to preserve historic cemeteries, help them keep serving communities, and honor veterans buried in them. Oregon's 2026 grant information (opens in a new tab) lists eligible work such as security fencing or lighting, monument repair, documentation and mapping, signage and landscape restoration. Florida's program page (opens in a new tab) covers both research projects and protection work such as repair and maintenance, and its rules exclude cemeteries licensed under Florida's cemetery licensing chapter.
If your state isn't listed, search your state historic preservation office, state archives or cemetery regulator's site for "cemetery grant." Some states don't have one, and that's worth knowing before you spend time looking.
Pricing a 3-Phase Restoration Project
Restoration requests go better in phases, because each phase has its own funders. Splitting the work also lets a small association finish something visible within a year.
| Phase | Typical work | Who tends to fund it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Documentation | Mapping, burial index, marker condition survey, photographs, historical research | State cemetery programs that fund documentation, historical societies, small local foundations |
| 2. Safety and stabilization | Resetting leaning markers, fencing, tree work, drainage, lighting | State capital programs, town or county budgets, community foundations |
| 3. Conservation and interpretation | Professional monument repair, signage, walking tours, veterans' history | Preservation-minded foundations, state programs, VA markers for eligible veterans |
Get written estimates from a monument conservator for phase 3. Oregon's 2026 program, for example, requires at least three estimates for work over $25,000 and pays by reimbursement, so you'll need cash on hand to start. Build that cash flow into your plan.
Document volunteer hours throughout. Oregon counts volunteer time as match at up to the state minimum wage, or a professional rate when a volunteer uses professional skills on the project, with documentation.
Which Foundations Fund Cemeteries: What 990-PF Filings Show
Grantsights' community and civic cause holds 127,692 grants from 990-PF records pulled October 29, 2026. According to IRS rules, foundations list every grant on IRS Form 990-PF (opens in a new tab) with a purpose line. Cemetery purpose lines are rare in the state preview samples Grantsights pulled, an honest signal about how hard this fundraising is.
The one cemetery purpose line Grantsights found in the state previews shows the workaround in action: the G V Sonny Montgomery Foundation gave $6,000 in tax year 2025 to the Community Foundation of East Mississippi for its Magnolia Cemetery Fund. The foundation gave to a community foundation fund rather than straight to a cemetery company, which keeps the grant clearly charitable.
Grantsights' community cause includes historic preservation, civic groups and community development. In Massachusetts, "historic preservation" is one of the most frequent purpose lines in this cause. Those are the funders most likely to see a historic cemetery as their kind of project.
| Cemetery's state | Community grants | Foundations that gave | Say they take requests | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 7,334 | 1,592 | 549 | $2,000 |
| Ohio | 4,412 | 1,208 | 431 | $2,500 |
| Georgia | 2,643 | 738 | 224 | $2,500 |
| Indiana | 2,635 | 743 | 264 | $3,000 |
| Iowa | 2,338 | 496 | 201 | $2,500 |
| Maine | 1,696 | 525 | 170 | $2,500 |
| Kentucky | 1,525 | 558 | 169 | $2,500 |
| Vermont | 858 | 322 | 97 | $1,500 |
| West Virginia | 735 | 183 | 104 | $3,000 |
| Mississippi | 372 | 119 | 40 | $2,500 |
Medians here are smaller than in human services or health, mostly $1,500 to $3,000. Plan on several small grants rather than one large one.
Get the funder list for your state
Cemetery associations can search the Grantsights community and civic funder list for their state at no charge, with funders that accept requests shown first. Look for recent grants to historical societies, community foundations and preservation groups near you. A one-time $29 payment unlocks every state, the $99 plan includes every cause list for a year, and either can be refunded in full within 30 days.
What the IRS Doesn't Tell You About Asking for Cemetery Money
The 4 points below turn the tax rules into a fundraising plan.
- Restricted asks work better than general ones. "Repair 40 headstones in the 1880s section" is a charitable, historic project. "Help with mowing" is maintenance that a foundation may not be able to fund.
- A 501(c)(3) partner opens doors. A historical society, church or community foundation fund can receive grants for your project. Put the agreement in writing.
- Documentation is your best evidence. A map, a burial index and a condition survey of markers make any request stronger, and some state programs fund that documentation as a first step.
- Perpetual care money is separate. Keep endowment or perpetual care funds apart from project donations, and follow your state's rules for them.
Federal cemetery money is honestly scarce for associations like yours. A plan built on a state grant, a local government line item and a handful of small foundation gifts is realistic.
Common Mistakes in Cemetery Grant Requests
Review each request against these 5 points before mailing it.
- Asking a private foundation for unrestricted support. A common mistake given the IRS rule above.
- Promising an estate tax deduction. Publication 5861 says bequests to 501(c)(13) cemeteries aren't deductible for estate tax.
- Skipping professional conservation. Funders and state programs may require trained monument repair. Untrained cleaning or resetting can damage stones.
- No access rights. Florida, for example, requires ownership or written property owner concurrence for physical work. Settle ownership questions first.
- No registration for public money. State and federal grants may require a Unique Entity ID. See the SAM.gov registration guide.
A 12-Month Cemetery Association Funding Plan
| Months | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Map the cemetery, update the burial index and survey marker condition |
| 3 | Confirm your IRS status and pick a 501(c)(3) partner if needed |
| 4 | Check your state for a historic cemetery grant and its next deadline |
| 5 to 6 | Ask your town or county about maintenance support |
| 7 to 9 | Send restricted project requests to 10 preservation or community funders |
| 10 to 12 | File VA marker requests for eligible unmarked veterans' graves and report progress to donors |
See grants for historic preservation, how to read a 990-PF and how to write a grant letter of inquiry. The Grantsights grant database lists open federal programs, including VA notices.
Related Guides for Heritage and Community Groups
These 5 pages cover common cemetery partners. Cemetery associations often partner with grants for historical societies, grants for churches and community foundation grants. Veterans' groups helping with markers can see grants for veterans organizations. Cemeteries next to rivers and lakes sometimes join shoreline or drainage projects; see grants for watershed associations.
FAQ: Common Questions
Are there federal grants for cemetery associations? Very few. VA's legacy grants cover VA and state veterans cemeteries only.
Why do some foundations say no to cemetery associations? Unrestricted gifts to 501(c)(13) cemetery companies are taxable expenditures for private foundations.
Are donations to a nonprofit cemetery tax deductible? Often for income tax, if given for the cemetery as a whole.
Which states have cemetery grant programs? Washington, Oregon and Florida, among others; awards run from $1,000 to $50,000.
Can VA help with veterans' graves in our cemetery? Yes, with headstones and markers for eligible veterans.
Sources
- IRS Publication 5861, Technical Guide: Cemetery Companies (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- IRS: Grants by Private Foundations, Expenditure Responsibility (opens in a new tab)
- Grants.gov: VA Veterans Legacy Grants Program FY2027 forecast (opens in a new tab)
- VA: Veterans Headstones and Markers (opens in a new tab)
- NPS: Historic Preservation Fund (opens in a new tab)
- Washington DAHP: Historic Cemetery Grant Program (opens in a new tab)
- Oregon Heritage: 2026 Historic Cemeteries Grant Information (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Division of Historical Resources: Abandoned African-American Cemeteries Grants (opens in a new tab)
- IRS: About Form 990-PF (opens in a new tab)
Last updated October 29, 2026. Published by Grantsights from public sources. See our editorial policy, how we build and check guides, corrections and how we make money.
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