Capital Campaign Challenge Grants

About this program

The Jeffris Family Foundation provides Capital Campaign Challenge Grants to support preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of historic sites of statewide or national significance in eight Midwestern states (IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI), with awards typically $250,000–$500,000 (range $50,000–$1,000,000). Grants are made on a 2:1 matching basis requiring recipients to raise twice the awarded sum within three years, with only funds raised after award generally counting toward the challenge; proposals are by invitation only (invitations ~May 15) following engagement with a Foundation Director, with drafts due July 1, finals due Aug. 1, and awards announced mid‑August. Eligible applicants are established 501(c)(3) nonprofits or government agencies partnered with a nonprofit, proposing work guided by a current Historic Structure Report (within five years) for projects in communities under 150,000 people, and all work must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. Match may include cash, securities, pledges and donated materials (no more than 25% from one source) and staff salaries, organizational overhead, and pre‑award expenses are ineligible.