Funding Programs

Funding for battlefield preservation comes from a combination of federal, state, local, and private sources.

Federal:

Funds Appropriated to SVBF:  The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation is authorized to receive up to $2 million annually to preserve land at ten battlefields in the Valley. Each year, Congress determines how much of that authorization will be appropriated for the coming fiscal year. Annual congressional appropriations have ranged from the full $2 million (in 2003) to $0 (in 2007, 2009, and 2010).

American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP):  The National Park Service’s ABPP land preservation funds are awarded through a competitive grants process and are available for the fee simple acquisition of land, or for the acquisition of permanent, protective interests in land at Civil War battlefields listed in the NPS Civil War Sites Advisory Commission's (CWSAC) 1993 Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields. Each grant requires a dollar-for-dollar match of non-federal funds.  The matching requirement can be met through the donation or partial donation of value by the landowner.

The Battlefields Foundation can work with landowners who are able to donate all or part of the value of their easement to secure ABPP funds for a protection project and can use ABPP funds in conjunction with other funding sources to provide full value to a seller. 

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP):  Most of the Valley’s battlefield landscape – especially areas that still retain their historic character – is agricultural.  Protection of this farmland not only preserves battlefield areas, it supports the region’s agricultural economy.  FRPP grants provide matching funds to purchase land and easements that keep productive farmland in agricultural uses. The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation works with the USDA, state and local governments, and other partners to acquire conservation easements and land in fee. FRPP grants can provide up to 50 percent of the fair market value of a property or conservation easement.

Commonwealth of Virginia:

Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF):  Matching grants from the VLCF provide financial support to state and local governments and to private (land trust) organizations for the conservation or preservation of lands with important ecological, cultural or historical resources.

Virginia Civil War Sites Preservation Fund:  Since 2008, Virginia has offered matching grants for preservation of Civil War battlefields in the Commonwealth that are listed in NPS Civil War Sites Advisory Commission's (CWSAC) 1993 Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields.

State and local funding:

Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) programs:  Local governments in Virginia may establish PDR programs to purchase conservation easements from farm landowners interested in preserving their agricultural land.  The Virginia Office of Farmland Protection offers matching funds to local governments that have created and funded PDR programs.  Together, the state and local funds can also be matched with other funds.

Private funding:

SVBF’s Carrington Williams Preservation Fund:  In honor of its late founding chairman, Carrington Williams, the Battlefields Foundation maintains a private fund used primarily to match public land preservation funds.  In rare instances, the Battlefields Foundation uses the Fund to bridge the gap between appraised values and the landowners’ expectations.  The Fund is supported entirely by private donors.