1772 Foundation
The 1772 Foundation is a private nonprofit grantmaking foundation focused on historic preservation. It administers five grant programs covering exterior restoration, property redevelopment, climate action, African American heritage, and racial justice, serving nonprofits across the United States with over $80 million in assets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersUnion, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What 1772 Foundation does
The 1772 Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation headquartered in Macon, Georgia, dedicated to historic preservation across the United States. Founded in 1984 by Stewart Barney Kean and named after Liberty Hall (built 1772), the foundation grew from $2.1 million in assets in 2002 to over $80 million today following Kean's death, and has deployed more than $60 million in grants over 20+ years.
Its core offerings are five grant programs: SBK Matching Grants (1:1 matching, up to $10,000, for exterior restoration in seven states); Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs or HPRP ($50,000-$250,000 revolving funds for real-estate-based preservation, administered nationally via NPPN); Dynamic Preservation grants ($25,000-$100,000, climate action and community projects, by invitation); African American History grants ($20,000-$25,000); and Kean Legacy/Corrective Action grants addressing racial justice tied to the Livingston/Kean family's historical connections to slavery. The foundation has no proprietary technology platform; its operational differentiation is a Dynamic Preservation framework and Climate Summit convening that integrate climate action and equity into traditional preservation grantmaking.
The foundation's go-to-market is event- and partnership-driven: applications are managed through seven state partner organizations for SBK grants and through the National Preservation Partners Network for HPRP grants, with special programs distributed by direct invitation. Annual grantmaking runs on a roughly $4 million budget for 2026, and the foundation invests in convenings such as the October 2024 Climate Summit at PastForward, the National Trust climate track sponsorship, and partnerships with Main Street America and the Climate Heritage Network. Leadership transitioned in September 2023 when Ethiel Garlington succeeded Mary Adams Anthony as Executive Director.
1772 Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 1772 Foundation
- Legal name
- The 1772 Foundation
- Website
- https://1772foundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The 1772 Foundation is a private nonprofit grantmaking foundation focused on historic preservation. It administers five grant programs covering exterior restoration, property redevelopment, climate action, African American heritage, and racial justice, serving nonprofits across the United States with over $80 million in assets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
1772 Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Historic Preservation Grantmaking
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)
Keywords
Where 1772 Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Union
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
1772 Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Endowment Distribution: The 1772 Foundation is a private foundation that distributes grants from its endowment. Upon founder Stewart B. Kean's death in 2002, the foundation grew from a $2.1 million private foundation to one with over $80 million in assets. In the 20+ years since then, the foundation has granted more than $60 million for historic preservation work. Total grant budget for 2026 is nearly $4M.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | SBK Matching Grants - 1:1 matching grants up to $10,000 for exterior restoration work in New England states and Georgia |
| Other | Annual | HPRP Grants - Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs ranging from $50,000-$75,000 typically |
| Other | Annual | Dynamic Preservation Grants - $25,000 to $100,000 for innovative climate action and community-driven projects |
| Other | Annual | African American History Grants - $20,000-$25,000 for African American heritage projects |
| Other | Annual | Kean Legacy Grants - Supporting racial justice work linked to family slavery connections |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
1772 Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The 1772 Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that funds historic preservation projects across the United States through a portfolio of named grant programs. It distributes matching grants (SBK Matching Grants up to $10,000) for exterior restoration work in seven states, larger Historic Properties Redevelopment Program (HPRP) grants ($50,000-$250,000) for nonprofit-led revolving fund preservation nationwide, and invitation-only Dynamic Preservation, African American History, and Kean Legacy Grants supporting climate action and racial justice work in preservation.
Product overview
The 1772 Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation focused on historic preservation. Rather than a technology product company, it offers a portfolio of grant programs: the SBK Matching Grants program for exterior restoration work (up to $10,000 matching grants administered through state partners in seven states), Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs (HPRP/revolving funds for real estate-based preservation), Dynamic Preservation grants for climate action and innovation, African American History grants, and Legacy/Corrective Action grants addressing racial justice. The foundation also hosts a Climate Summit program for education and advocacy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SBK (Stewart Barney Kean) Matching Grants One-for-one matching grants of up to $10,000 for exterior restoration work on historic buildings (painting, surface restoration, fire detection/security systems, chimney repairs, porch/roof/window restoration, foundation/sill repairs, masonry repointing). Available to 501(c)(3) private nonprofit organizations that own or have long-term leases on historic sites in Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, administered through state partner organizations.
- Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs (HPRP) Real estate revolving fund grants using options, purchase/resale, rehabilitation, easements, tax credits, loans, and grants to preserve historic buildings. Grants typically range from $50,000-$75,000, feasibility study grants from $10,000-$20,000, with a maximum of $250,000. Available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations nationwide through the National Preservation Partners Network partnership.
- Dynamic Preservation Grants
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $60 million granted for historic preservation work throughout the United States in 20+ years
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use 1772 Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers28 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
1772 Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
1772 Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Georgia Trust for Historic PreservationcoreJoint partnership providing $10,000 grant for restoration of Pebble Hill's 1929 firehouse in Thomasville to repair water damage and preserve historical features. This is part of the ongoing collaboration between the two foundations for historic preservation in Georgia.
- Climate Heritage NetworkflagshipThe foundation provided $75,000 to the Climate Heritage Network for its Decarbonizing the Built Environment through Heritage initiative. The approach fosters engagement of frontline communities in cultural heritage and climate action in the built environment, leading to advocacy for changes to policy, building codes, and practices needed for heritage-based climate mitigation responses. The foundation also hosted Climate Summit as affiliate event at PastForward Conference in October 2024.
- National Preservation Partners Network (NPPN)coreNPPN, established as an independent organization in 2018, works to advance the growth and effectiveness of the organized historic preservation movement through education, training, and a common advocacy agenda. The partnership administers Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs (HPRPs) grants, having awarded nearly $850,000 to 19 organizations in 2025 and $663,500 to 14 organizations in 2024. NPPN provides technical assistance resources to funded organizations and hosts the HPRP Resource Guide.
- Preservation Trust of VermontcoreState partner administering SBK Matching Grants in Vermont. Partnership in its fifth year as of 2024, awarded $125,000 to 14 organizations in 2024 for exterior restoration work including painting, surface restoration, fire detection/security systems, porch/roof/window repairs, foundation repairs, and masonry repointing.
- Preservation MassachusettscoreState partner administering SBK Matching Grants in Massachusetts. Partnership in its fifth year as of 2024, awarded $125,446 to 16 organizations in 2024 for exterior restoration work.
- Preservation ConnecticutcoreState partner administering SBK Matching Grants in Connecticut (formerly the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation). Partnership for 14 years as of 2024, awarded $134,000 to 16 organizations in 2024. Staff reviews applications, conducts site visits, and manages grants.
- Georgia Trust for Historic PreservationcoreState partner administering SBK Matching Grants in Georgia. Second year of partnership in 2024, awarded $100,000 to 10 organizations for exterior restoration work. Georgia Trust staff reviews applications and selects funded projects based on criteria including organizational capacity, realistic budget, community support, and immediacy of need.
- New Hampshire Preservation AlliancecoreState partner administering SBK Matching Grants in New Hampshire. Partnership in its fifth year as of 2024, awarded $125,000 to 16 organizations in 2024 for exterior restoration work including painting, surface restoration, porch/roof/window repairs, foundation repairs, and masonry repointing.
- Preserve Rhode IslandcoreState partner administering SBK Matching Grants in Rhode Island. Partnership in its fifth year as of 2024, awarded $125,000 to 17 organizations in 2024. Staff evaluates applications and projects and administers grants.
- Maine PreservationcoreState partner administering SBK Matching Grants in Maine. Partnership in its fifth year as of 2024, awarded $126,700 to 21 organizations in 2024 for exterior restoration work. Field services staff evaluates applications and manages grants.
- National Trust for Historic PreservationflagshipThe foundation provided $50,000 to sponsor the climate track at the National Trust's annual PastForward Conference. The National Trust is the 18th President and CEO Carol Quillen-led organization working to save America's historic places.
- Main Street AmericacoreLongtime partner receiving grants for the Building Opportunities on Main Street (BOOMS) tracker, creation of educational hub for Main Street leaders, annual conference programming, and startup costs for the National Trust Loan Fund ($100,000). Awarded $75,000 in 2025 and $35,000 in 2024.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
1772 Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation: The largest US arts and culture grantmaker, with major programs supporting historic preservation, cultural heritage, and climate adaptation for the built environment. Overlaps with 1772's mission but at vastly greater scale and broader portfolio.
- Ford Foundation: One of the largest US private foundations, with significant programmatic giving to racial justice, civic engagement, and arts/culture including preservation themes. Comparable as a private foundation with a reparative-justice orientation, though with vastly broader scope.
- Kresge Foundation: A large US private foundation that funds urban and community development, including historic preservation and climate-forward building practices. Comparable as a private foundation addressing preservation through place-based and equity lens, but broader scope.
- Getty Foundation: A major arts and culture grantmaking program of the J. Paul Getty Trust, supporting conservation, preservation, and architectural heritage globally. Comparable as a preservation grantmaker, but with substantially larger budgets and broader arts focus.
- Doris Duke Foundation: A national private foundation supporting arts, culture, environment, and historic preservation including the Driehaus-era Doris Duke preservation work. Comparable grantmaking structure with similar capital base.
Direct peers
- Marisla Foundation: A private California-based foundation that historically supported environmental and historic-preservation causes, including cultural property protection. Comparable in mission focus (environment + heritage) and small-foundation scale.
- Richard H. Driehaus Foundation: A private grantmaking foundation that funds historic preservation and architecture, particularly through its Landmarks Partnership and preservation apprenticeship programs. Directly comparable in scale, mission, and grant-based deployment model for built-heritage work.
- Jessie Ball duPont Fund: A private foundation that historically prioritized historic preservation (including funding the Building Conservation Directory) and now concentrates on three Florida counties plus regional roots. Comparable grant size and program design, but different regional anchor.
- National Trust for Historic Preservation: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is the largest preservation advocacy and grantmaking organization in the US, operating national programs in historic preservation, climate adaptation, and equity. Highly comparable to 1772's preservation mission and partner-network distribution model, though at a much larger scale.
- Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation: A private California foundation funding environment, education, and historic preservation. Comparable scale and three-pillar grant structure, including direct support for historic preservation projects analogous to 1772's portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
1772 Foundation social profiles
Digital presence1772 Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
1772 Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
1772 Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
1772 Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 1772 Foundation
What does 1772 Foundation do?
The 1772 Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that funds historic preservation projects across the United States through a portfolio of named grant programs. It distributes matching grants (SBK Matching Grants up to $10,000) for exterior restoration work in seven states, larger Historic Properties Redevelopment Program (HPRP) grants ($50,000-$250,000) for nonprofit-led revolving fund preservation nationwide, and invitation-only Dynamic Preservation, African American History, and Kean Legacy Grants supporting climate action and racial justice work in preservation.
Is 1772 Foundation a public or private company?
1772 Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was 1772 Foundation founded?
1772 Foundation was founded in 1984.
Where is 1772 Foundation based?
1772 Foundation is headquartered in Union, United States, in the North America region.
How does 1772 Foundation make money?
One revenue line is on record: foundation Endowment Distribution.
Who are 1772 Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Ford Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Getty Foundation and Doris Duke Foundation. Direct peers are Marisla Foundation, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Jessie Ball duPont Fund, National Trust for Historic Preservation and Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation.
Does 1772 Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for 1772 Foundation.
What industry is 1772 Foundation in?
1772 Foundation's product category is Historic Preservation Grantmaking. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAA, Private Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAJ, Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211.