The Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program, presented by American Express in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is back for its fifth round of funding.
This year, 50 restaurants across the United States will each have the opportunity to receive a $50,000 grant.
These funds can be used for exterior preservation projects and general operations support.
The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Eastern on May 30. Applicants will be informed by late June.
The grant selection criteria for eligible U.S. small historic restaurants:
- A small/independently owned restaurant located in a historic or older building or neighborhood;
- Contributes to the history and/or identity of its surrounding community or neighborhood;
- Tells a story about cuisine and community in America, highlighting historic food traditions and culinary heritage;
- Has a compelling and inspiring historical narrative or cultural significance;
- Has been disproportionately affected by economic challenges, disasters or other hardships.
Among the Route 66-related recipients of the grant last summer were La Cita in Tucumcari, New Mexico; Doc’s Just Off 66 in Girard, Illinois; and La Paloma Mexican Restaurant in La Verne, California.
More about the program can be found here.
(Image of the neon sign at Clanton’s Cafe in Vinita, Oklahoma, by Hawthorn Mineart via Flickr)