Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation

RDLGF Adaptive Reuse and New Construction Grants

Who can apply: Applicants must have raised all funds needed by the deadline, with no reliance on promised or projected funding. All permits and written bids must be available at submission. Applicants must apply to the New York Preservation League or relevant Sacred Sites partner before applying to RDLGF. A full match is required.

Deadline: Spring cycle deadline March 5, 2027 at 5:00 p.m.; fall cycle deadline August 6, 2027 at 5:00 p.m.

RDLGF Exhibitions and Education Grants

Who can apply: Applicants must fit the Foundation's published interests and provide the required institutional match based on organizational budget. Up to 20% of matching funds may be in-kind. The Foundation does not fund research, existing staff salaries, indirect costs, property purchase, lobbying, fundraising, prior expenses, insurance, debt, or interest.

Deadline: Spring cycle deadline March 5, 2027 at 5:00 p.m.; fall cycle deadline August 6, 2027 at 5:00 p.m.

RDLGF Cataloguing, Digitalization, Conservation of Objects and Collections Care Grants

Who can apply: Applicants must fit the Foundation's published interests and provide proof of the required institutional match: 25% for institutional budgets under $250,000; 50% for budgets over $250,000 to $500,000; 75% for budgets over $500,000 to $1 million; and a full match for budgets over $1 million. Up to 20% of matching funds may be in-kind. Requests for research, existing staff salaries, indirect costs, property purchase, lobbying, fundraising, prior expenses, insurance, debt, or interest are not awarded.

Deadline: Spring cycle deadline March 5, 2027 at 5:00 p.m.; fall cycle deadline August 6, 2027 at 5:00 p.m.

Structural Stabilization & Restoration / Adaptive Reuse Grants (category within General Grants)

Who can apply: Applicants must have raised all funds needed by the application deadline; promised or projected funding is not sufficient. Required permits and written bids must be in place. Applicants must first apply to the New York Preservation League or, for houses of worship, the NY Landmarks Conservancy Sacred Sites program. A full match is required, and construction recipients must allocate approximately $1,500 for periodic inspections.

Deadline: Spring cycle deadline March 5, 2027 at 5:00 p.m.; fall cycle deadline August 6, 2027 at 5:00 p.m.

General Grant Categories (RDLGF Institutional Grants)

Who can apply: Applicants must be nonprofit organizations qualifying as 501(c)(3) organizations for at least three years. Historical societies, historians, anthropologists, academic institutions, museums and similar organizations may apply. Applicants must have submitted final reports for previously completed Gardiner Foundation grants. Organizations must demonstrate organizational and financial capacity, a clear project plan, community and cultural relevance, and project sustainability. Buildings owned by a municipality or other third party require a current stewardship agreement, contract or lease of at least 10 years. No more than two proposals may be submitted by one organization in a year. Structural stabilization/restoration and adaptive reuse applicants must have raised all required funds, apply to the relevant Foundation partners first, and have permits and written bids in place.

Support for Preserve New York (Preservation League / NYSCA)

Who can apply: Applicants must be a unit of local government or not-for-profit with tax-exempt status. State agencies and religious institutions are ineligible under Preserve New York. RDLG provides additional support specifically for Nassau and Suffolk projects.

New York Landmarks Conservancy Sacred Sites Fund (RDLGF-supported)

Who can apply: Property must be located on Long Island, owned by a religious institution actively used for worship, and listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places or designated by a certified local landmarks ordinance. Grants not available for work already in contract or completed.

NYSCA / Preservation League – Preserve New York (RDLGF provides supplemental support in Nassau & Suffolk)

Who can apply: Applicants must be a unit of local government or a not-for-profit with tax-exempt status; state agencies and religious institutions are not eligible under Preserve New York (note: RDLGF provides additional support for projects in Nassau & Suffolk).