Route 66 Grants
for Businesses, Attractions, and Projects
One of the most common questions we get from Business Owners is, “Are there any grants available?” Route 66 is a national resource of historic importance, and as such there are a number of programs available at the local, state, and federal level that may be of use. Some are only available for a limited time and others are available on a rolling basis. We’ll do our best to keep this page up-to-date on grant opportunities that are available! Click on each image for more information including deadlines and application requirements.
Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
National Park Service
This grant program originally launched in 1999 and ran for the life of the Corridor Preservation Program. Although it officially sunset in 2019, Congress has renewed it on an annual basis. We are hoping this gets formally revived along with the movement to get Route 66 designated as a National Historic Trail. This grant cycle is normally in the first quarter of the year.
Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
The Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program provides direct grant awards to African-American owned/operated businesses and attractions along Route 66, and funding to support research and programs designed to tell the stories of Black experiences related to Route 66.
Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant Program
Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership
The Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant program is part of the Road Ahead Partnership’s efforts to celebrate the upcoming Route 66 Centennial by helping the millions of people who live, work, and travel the Mother Road.
Backing Historic Small Restaurants
National Trust for Historic Preservation
This program isn’t specifically focused on Route 66, but several Route 66 restaurants have taken advantage of this grant. This fund is designed to help restaurants address critical needs amid ongoing economic challenges. This critical financial support helps small restaurant owners better navigate supply chain issues, staffing shortages, inflation, and other crises so that their establishments’ legacies can continue.
Tulsa Route 66 Facade Grant
Tulsa Route 66 Commission
This grant program is exclusively for businesses on Route 66 within Tulsa city limits. It is a 50% matching grant (min $10,000, max $40,000) for restoring buildings built before US Highway 66 was re-routed to the interstate (1959 and earlier).
Tulsa Route 66 Neon Sign Grant
Tulsa Route 66 Commission
This grant program is exclusively for businesses on Route 66 within Tulsa city limits. It is a 50% matching grant (max $10,000) for restoring vintage neon signs or assisting with the creation and installation of new neon.
Tulsa Route 66 Special Event Grant
Tulsa Route 66 Commission
This grant program is exclusively for businesses on Route 66 within Tulsa city limits. This was established to help businesses with costs of special events along Route 66.
Hometown Grant
T-Mobile and Main Street America
This program is designed for elected officials, town managers, tribal leaders, and non-profits in communities of less than 50,000. This is for projects that “foster local connections” like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, arts, and community centers.
Arts and Community Grants
Oklahoma Arts Council
The Oklahoma Arts Council offers multiple grants for Community Development, Arts Programs, Professional Development, and more.
Oklahoma Route 66 Commission Grant
State of Oklahoma
This grant is open to municipalities, counties, government entities, and non-profits. Through the Centennial year of 2026, the State of Oklahoma will be awarding grants to help develop and enhance the Route 66 corridor throughout the state. Grants are made on a bi-annual basis
Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant
National Trust for Historic Preservation
This grant provides financial support to businesses to preserve historic places and spur economic development along the Route 66 corridor, with an emphasis on projects that illuminate the narratives of communities whose places and stories have been historically underrepresented.
Programming, Preservation, and Education
Oklahoma Humanities
Oklahoma Humanities accepts funding requests for projects that bring the ideas and insights of the humanities to life. Projects should engage humanities scholarship to analyze significant themes in disciplines such as history, literature, ethics, and art history. Oklahoma Humanities funding supports projects in three program categories: Public Programs, Preservation and Access Projects, and Education Projects.