Restoration Grant Application

Owners interested in restoring their historic barns may apply for a grant from the Iowa Barn Foundation. Starting in 2025, the IBF Board will have a single grant review session in October. Grant applications must be submitted electronically by September 30th for consideration.

Please Note: The maximum amount that IBF will fund is 50% of a total project cost. Depending on the total project cost and the overall availability of funds, IBF may fund less than the requested amount.

Before applying, please click here to review the full set of grant guidelines which describe barn eligibility and obligations of grant recipients.

Applications being submitted for a structure must meet the following criteria:

STRUCTURES TO BE CONSIDERED MUST MEET ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA TO BE CONSIDERED.
- A. The structure must be no less than 50 years old.
- B. The structure exhibits unique or distinctive methods of construction, materials, finishes or examples of craftsmanship.
- C. The structure contributes in a significant way to the appearance of the rural landscape and/or the community identity.
- D. The structure is associated with lives of persons or events significant to Iowa’s history.
NOTE: Barns must be restored consistent with the original construction materials (exception made for metal roofing).

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Iowa Barn Foundation. Call or email:

Jack Smith, Phone – 563-599-3061, Email – jackwsmith@icloud.com

To streamline the application review process for our volunteers, we are only accepting online applications.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICATION

Applications require either the applicant and/or barn owner to be an active member donor of the Iowa Barn Foundation. Active membership requires a minimum $50 donation in the past 12 months. Click here for membership information.

"*" indicates required fields

Applicant Information

Name*

First Last

Address*

Street Address City State ZIP Code

County*

Geographic Region

Email*

Phone*

Is the property owner information different from applicant information?

Yes

Property Owner Name*

First Last

Property Owner Address*

Street Address City State ZIP Code

Property Owner Email*

Property Owner Phone*

Active Member name(s) associated with application*

Barn Information

Grant Type*

Restoration Grant – Up to 50% matching fund grant for barn restoration

Emergency Grant - Up to 50% matching fund grant to stabilize a barn until long-term preservation plans can be implemented

Name - to be used in magazine and website*

Date of original construction, if known*

Address*

Street Address City State ZIP Code

Address navigation description (i.e. directions from major roads/highways)

Original use of barn/structure, if known*

Current use*

Is building currently open to the public?

Yes

Is building handicap accessible (not required)?

Yes

Please explain how your agricultural structure meets criteria outlined at the top of the form:*

Project Buildings Must Be A Historic Agricultural Building

Building Type*

Higher priority may be given to buildings still in agricultural use. Priority will be given to projects that preserve important examples of historic agricultural building types. Examples: Cattle barns and cattle shelters, crib barns and corn cribs, dairy barns, fairground barns, general farm barns and farm sheds, granaries and silos, hog barns, horse barns and stables, poultry houses, sheep barns and sheds.

Priority will be given to projects that preserve the historic features of the building. List any preservation plans, reports or evaluations of the condition of the building.*

If there have been architectural or historic structures reports, needs assessments, architectural plans or specifications or similar evaluations of the condition of your building list the documents below and include a copy with your application.

Describe any work that has been performed on the building in the last ten years*

Describe the proposed project in detail*

Tell why the project is needed. Tell how you will do it. What materials and methods will you use? Be specific.

Work Description and Cost Estimates*

Please include copies of estimates received by contractors. Two estimates for the work are preferred.

Estimate Upload*

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 16 MB.

Total Project Cost*

Grant Amount Requested (max 50% of total cost)*

Matching Share From Other Sources (min 50% of total cost)*

Matching Share Summary*

List each source of funding.

Describe Work Needed and Planned After This Project*

If your building needs additional work after the completion of this project please describe the long-range plans and list the work to be accomplished in priority order.

Priority Will Be Given to Properties that are Important Landmarks

Is the building a local landmark? Describe why. An agricultural building can be a landmark for many reasons. They may be used as points of geographical reference or these structures may prove a sense of community identity or simply a strong, if undefined, attachment to a particular place.

Priority Will Be Given to Projects that Promote the Best Long-Term Use of the Property

Building Use: How will this project promote the best long-term use of the building?

Sketch of overall dimensions of barn*

Max. file size: 16 MB.

Map showing exact location of the property*

Max. file size: 16 MB.

Bird’s eye view sketch map of the farm layout*

Max. file size: 16 MB.

Photographs of the entire building showing all exterior elevations*

Area(s) of the proposed work (detail photos)*

Interior photographs which show any significant unique framing, construction details or other features*

Photographs of several overall views of the farm setting*

Why do you want to preserve this barn?*

By signing this application, I agree to the following:

By signing this application, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the Iowa Barn Foundation Grant Guidelines.

Signature*

Date*

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT FOR APPLICATION

Applicant Information

Barn Information

Project Buildings Must Be A Historic Agricultural Building

Help Save Iowa’s Barns by Becoming a Member Today!