The National Trust for Historic Preservation has announced a new, $10 million effort to combat President Donald Trump’s ongoing changes to the country’s civic and cultural landmarks. Called the Historic Preservation Defense Fund, the fundraising campaign will support legal protections, public advocacy, and community engagement whenever historical sites and the laws that protect them are in danger.
Brent Leggs, the president and CEO of the nonprofit group, announced the new initiative during his keynote address at the inaugural National Preservation Summit, which is currently underway in Washington.
“This is an urgent, pivotal moment for historic preservation,” said Leggs. “Our nation’s iconic, historic buildings and places, and with them the foundational stories of our country, are now under a generational threat.”
He continued, “Ensuring America’s tangible heritage survives these ongoing assaults will require bold, coordinated action across the field and the Historic Preservation Defense Fund will be the bedrock of our efforts. The funds raised will provide investment and support for a united preservation movement as we mount a shared defense against current and emerging threats.”
Since 2025, the National Trust has been active in its efforts to preserve and protect some of Washington’s most famous landmarks, among them the White House and the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. In December, the privately funded group—which was founded in 1949 by an act of Congress—joined a lawsuit challenging construction the White House’s $600 million ballroom, which is on the site of the now-razed East Wing. The Supreme Court dismissed the suit last month.
Additionally, the group has raised concerns about the proposed monumental arch at D.C.’s Memorial Circle, a project championed by President Donald Trump. The Trust was also part of a coalition to preserve Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. The effort follows a presidential proclamation in July that modified protections for the vast majority of the monument’s roughly 1.35 million acres.
Geoffrey Montes is an associate editor at ELLE Decor with a serious love for all things real estate and design. Before that, he worked at Architectural Digest, Galerie, and Preservation magazines, covering everything from jaw-dropping listings to world-famous architects and design events like Salone del Mobile and Homo Faber.