1772 Foundation Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $3,849,000 (2023)
Total Awards: 80 grants (2023)
Grant Range: $2,500 - $1,000,000
Geographic Focus: National (with state-specific preservation programs in CT, VT, NH, RI, NJ, NC, MA, GA, and others)
Decision Time: 1 month (Letter of Inquiry to invitation for full application)

Contact Details

Headquarters: PO Box 112, Pomfret Center, CT 06259

Executive Director: Mary Anthony (since 2003)

Note: The 1772 Foundation works through state-level preservation partners. For Connecticut grants, contact:

Preservation Connecticut: https://preservationct.org/1772foundationgrants

Overview

The 1772 Foundation was established in 1985 and named after Liberty Hall, built in 1772 in Union, New Jersey, the ancestral home of the Livingston and Kean families. Founded by Stewart Barney Kean, the foundation grew from a $2.1 million private foundation to one with over $80 million in assets following Mr. Kean's death in 2002. The foundation awards approximately $3.8 million annually in grants. Since 2006, the 1772 Foundation has been a leading national proponent of Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs (HPRPs), also known as revolving funds, which use enterprising real estate techniques to protect and rehabilitate endangered properties. In 2020, after discovering that the Kean and Livingston families had enslaved more than 100 people, the foundation issued a formal apology and began a long-term corrective action granting program focused on racial equity and African American heritage preservation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. State Historic Preservation Matching Grants

Amount: Up to $10,000 per project
Match Required: 1:1 matching funds from grant recipient
Application Method: Rolling basis through state preservation partners
States: Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and others
Connecticut Program: Annually awards approximately $134,000-$137,000 to 15-17 organizations
Process: Two-stage (Letter of Inquiry, then invited full applications)

2. Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs (HPRP)

Amount: $16,000 - $125,000+ per award
Total Annual HPRP Funding: $800,000 - $1,078,000 per year
Application Method: Quarterly review cycles through National Preservation Partners Network
Purpose: Support revolving funds and preservation organizations using real estate techniques for community revitalization

3. Legacy and Racial Equity Grants

Amount: $50,000 - $1,000,000
Purpose: Support efforts toward a more just and equitable society, with focus on African American heritage
Largest Grant: $1,000,000 to Coastal Community Foundation (SC) for the Reverend Pinckney Scholars Program (2022)
Application Method: Appears to be invitation-only or through strategic partnerships

Priority Areas

Historic Preservation Projects:

Exterior painting, finishes, and surface restoration
Fire detection, lightning protection, and security systems installation/upgrades
Repairs to and restoration of porches, roofs, and windows
Repairs to foundations and sills
Chimney and masonry repointing
Revolving fund programs that acquire, rehabilitate, and resell historic properties

Legacy and Equity Focus:

African American heritage sites and history preservation
Projects addressing historical inequities related to slavery
Organizations led by or serving communities of color
Heirs' property preservation
Educational programs promoting racial equity

What They Don't Fund

Municipally owned buildings
Active churches and religious congregations
Schools
Interior restoration projects (state preservation grants focus on exterior work)
Organizations without 501(c)(3) IRS designation
Properties the applicant doesn't own or have a long-term lease on

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Mary Anthony has served as Executive Director since 2003.

Governance Structure: The assets of the foundation are managed by a board of trustees. Specific trustee names are not publicly available without accessing paid databases or IRS Form 990 filings.

Foundation Philosophy: In their 2020 annual report, the foundation acknowledged that "enslaved African people held by the Kean and Livingston families toiled in Georgia, South Carolina, and New Jersey" and offered "our deepest apology" in honor of those enslaved and their descendants. This acknowledgment has shaped their expanded mission beyond historic preservation to include racial equity and justice.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

State Historic Preservation Grants:

The 1772 Foundation partners with state preservation organizations to administer their state-level grant programs. The application process varies by state:

Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Submit through the state preservation partner's portal
- Connecticut uses a shared Grants Portal with Connecticut Humanities
- Other states have their own systems
Full Application: Invited applicants receive notification and instructions

Connecticut-Specific Timeline:

Inquiry Deadline: Early December (December 5, 2025 for current cycle)
Full Application Deadline: Mid-February (February 13, 2026 for current cycle)
Award Announcements: Typically spring

HPRP Grants:

Submit Letter of Inquiry through National Preservation Partners Network
Quarterly review cycles
Recent deadline example: September 19, 2025

Legacy Grants:

No public application process documented
Appears to be strategic/invitation-only

Decision Timeline

Letter of Inquiry to Invitation: Approximately 11 days to 1 month depending on state program
Full Application to Award Decision: Varies by state; typically announced in spring for Connecticut
Overall Process: 2-4 months from initial inquiry to final award decision

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, data from Connecticut provides insight:

2022 Connecticut: 23 applications requesting $210,000; 15 projects funded totaling $109,600 (approximately 65% of applicants funded)
2023 Connecticut: 15 sites funded with $134,000
2024 Connecticut: 16 organizations funded with $134,000
2025 Connecticut: 17 organizations funded with $136,818

Overall Foundation Statistics:

2021: 88 awards total (all programs)
2022: 92 awards total
2023: 80 awards total

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have previously received 1772 Foundation matching grants must have closed those grants (completed the project and submitted final reports) before being eligible to apply again.

The search did not reveal specific policies about unsuccessful applicants reapplying. It appears organizations can reapply in subsequent cycles, but applicants should confirm with their state preservation partner.

Application Success Factors

Critical Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Must own the property or have a long-term lease
Cannot be an active church, school, or municipal building
Must have closed any previous 1772 Foundation grants

Sustainability and Planning: The foundation values long-term stewardship. Applicants may be required to submit documentation prepared or updated within the last five years, including:

Cyclical maintenance plans
Condition assessments
Restoration plans
Stewardship plans

Matching Funds: For state preservation grants, demonstrating the ability to raise the required 1:1 match is essential. The foundation wants to see that your organization has the capacity to leverage their investment.

Alignment with Mission: Since 2020, the foundation has increasingly focused on:

"Inclusion, sustainability, and community"
Projects that acknowledge and address historical inequities
African American heritage preservation
Community economic development through historic preservation

For HPRP Grants: The foundation prioritizes organizations that use enterprising real estate techniques - acquiring, rehabilitating, and selling or repurposing historic properties with proceeds funding future preservation work. They want to see how income is "revolved" to save additional buildings.

Project Scope: Focus on exterior, structural, and safety improvements rather than cosmetic interior work. Projects should address:

Structural integrity (foundations, roofs, windows)
Building protection systems (fire detection, security)
Weather protection (painting, masonry)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Know Your State Partner: The 1772 Foundation works through state preservation organizations. Build a relationship with your state's partner organization and follow their specific guidelines and timelines.
Match Requirement is Non-Negotiable: For state preservation grants, you must demonstrate ability to raise 1:1 matching funds. Start fundraising early and document commitments in your application.
Sustainability Matters: Having a current (within 5 years) maintenance plan, condition assessment, or stewardship plan strengthens your application significantly.
Focus on Exterior and Structural: State preservation grants prioritize exterior preservation, structural repairs, and safety systems rather than interior restoration or cosmetic improvements.
Complete Previous Grants First: If you've received a 1772 Foundation grant before, ensure it's fully closed (project complete, final report submitted) before applying again.
Consider the Equity Lens: Since 2020, the foundation has expanded focus to include racial equity and African American heritage. If your project connects to these themes, make that connection explicit.
HPRP is Different: If you operate or are establishing a revolving fund, the HPRP program offers substantially larger grants ($16,000-$125,000+) and operates on a different timeline and process than state preservation grants.

References

Accessed December 24, 2025