Got an idea for saving a historic Worcester building, improving a neighborhood park or expanding housing opportunities? The city has more than $7.4 million available for projects that could help make those plans a reality.
Worcester’s Community Preservation Committee has opened its fall 2026 funding round, inviting applications for projects involving historic preservation, open space and recreation, and community housing.
The money is available through the city’s Community Preservation Program, which distributes funds under the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act, a state law allowing municipalities to raise and spend money for certain community improvements.
This is Worcester’s third round of funding through the program, which is designed to support projects that protect community assets and provide lasting public benefits.
The new funding opportunity comes just months after Preservation Worcester released its 2026 Most Endangered Structures List, identifying historic properties threatened by deterioration, neglect or possible demolition. Among them are the Commerce Building at 340 Main St., the nearly 250-year-old Cow Tavern on Salisbury Street and several historic three-deckers. The funding program offers a potential avenue for preservation projects, although inclusion on the endangered list does not establish eligibility or guarantee financial assistance.
And the opportunity isn’t limited to City Hall or established nonprofit organizations.
Under state law, eligible applicants may include public agencies, private organizations, nonprofits, businesses and individuals, provided their proposed projects qualify under the Community Preservation Act, serve a public benefit and comply with applicable laws. That means a range of potential applicants can seek funding, although eligibility depends on the nature of the project and how the money would be used.
The city has established a two-step application process intended to prevent applicants from spending time preparing lengthy proposals for projects that do not qualify. Interested applicants must first complete a pre-application outlining their proposed project. City officials will review the submission to determine whether it meets the requirements of the Community Preservation Act.
Applicants will be notified of their eligibility determination within 10 business days. Those whose projects qualify will then be invited to submit a full application for funding consideration.
An eligibility determination does not guarantee that a project will receive money.
The deadline to submit a pre-application is 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2. Applications received after that time will not be considered for the fall funding round.
City officials are encouraging applicants who need assistance to submit their questions by Nov. 20. The Community Preservation Program cannot guarantee that questions received after Nov. 21 will be answered before the application deadline.
The more than $7.4 million available is divided among the program’s three funding categories, although the announcement does not specify how much is allocated to each.
Projects will be evaluated under the program’s eligibility requirements and scoring criteria, which are outlined in the city’s application guidance.
For Worcester, the funding represents an opportunity to invest in projects that might otherwise struggle to secure financial support, from preserving pieces of the city’s architectural history to improving public recreational spaces and addressing community housing needs.
Applicants can review the funding guidelines and submit a pre-application online.
Additional information is available through the city’s Community Preservation Program.
