NEWS RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT
Matt Fuehrmeyer
Communications Advisor
Media@NATHPO.org
815-953-5004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NATHPO Praises Release of FY 2026 THPO Funding
Announcement Comes After Members of Congress, Tribal Leaders, THPOs, and Allies Joined NATHPO in Advocating for Its Release
Late last week, the National Park Service (NPS) announced it had issued the Fiscal Year 2026 Historic Preservation Fund Annual Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This funding, which President Trump signed into law in January 2026, covers THPO work for the Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2025. For many THPOs, the federal grants issued by NPS account for all or most of their funding for the year, and without these grants, they would not be able to perform the important work of preserving their Tribal Nations’ sacred places and cultural resources.
“THPOs rely on their federal funding to support their work of protecting sacred places and cultural resources, and NATHPO thanks the National Park Service and the White House for ensuring they could access their funding for Fiscal Year 2026 as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Valerie Grussing, Executive Director for Legislative Affairs & Strategic Partnerships. “Any disruption in THPOs’ ability to review projects would result in unnecessary delays and threaten harm to the Tribal Nations whose lifeways and traditional practices depend on the preservation of sacred places and cultural resources.”
The National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO) has been advocating for the timely release of those funds since they were signed into law, working with Members of Congress and their staffs and joined by Tribal Leaders, THPOs, and allies from across the country. NATHPO is grateful to all those who raised their voices on behalf of THPOs, particularly the U.S. Representatives and Senators from both parties who not only ensured this funding was signed into law but also advocated for its timely release. We want to especially thank Senator Cynthia Lummis and Representative Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, whose support was instrumental in recent weeks.
Who we are – NATHPO is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization, founded in 1998, of Tribal preservation leaders protecting culturally important places that perpetuate Native identity, resilience, and cultural endurance. Connections to cultural heritage sustain the health and vitality of Native peoples. We provide guidance to preservation officials, elected representatives, and the public about national historic preservation legislation, policies, and regulations. We promote Tribal sovereignty, develop partnerships, and advocate for Tribes in governmental activities on preservation issues. For more information visit our website at www.nathpo.org.