Historic Brown Chapel AME Church Preservation Society Inc.

Historic Brown Chapel AME Church Preservation Society Inc. is a non-profit organization registered as a minority-owned business and community development corporation dedicated to preserving the historic Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Alabama. The organization is specifically focused on maintaining and restoring this significant civil rights landmark, which served as a critical site during the modern civil rights movement and was the starting point for the Selma to Montgomery marches that ultimately led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. As a registered federal grant recipient, the organization works to secure funding for comprehensive preservation and restoration efforts that protect and maintain the cultural and historical significance of the church building.

The organization has consistently secured federal grant awards from the National Park Service, specifically through the Save America's Treasures program (CFDA 15.929), which provides preservation and conservation assistance to nationally significant historic properties. Their recent federal grant awards, totaling approximately $3,203,000, have focused on targeted restoration and preservation projects including structural repairs, window repairs, electrical system upgrades, and HVAC improvements. The grants require dollar-for-dollar non-federal matching funds, which the organization has demonstrated capability to provide. Specific project scopes have included repairing north and south walls, preserving stained glass windows, addressing structural issues like insect damage and water incursion, and upgrading electrical and mechanical systems in the sanctuary. These grants not only support physical preservation but also help maintain the church's status as a critical national historic landmark and an important site on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.