About Us

Grant Application

The Historical Preservation Foundation (HPF) of the Native Sons of the Golden West (NSGW) is a 501c(3) established in 2000 for the purposes of education and preservation of California’s unique and colorful history. The HPF board of directors have remained dedicated to this aspect of the NSGW mission by funding, advising, or cooperating with projects under the direction of statewide or local organizations. Our mission is to assist those who have developed a notion to preserve any aspect of California history from any era.  As of April 8, 2022, the HPF has given out more than $1 Million in large and small grants to deserving projects. You can find the grant application here:

Grant Application Form 2024b.docx

Please download the application, complete it, and email to one of the directors or mail it to the HPF.

The HPF has a video presentation that explains who we are:


Chairman of the Board

Carl Von Bargen

Board of Directors 2024-2025

Chair: Carl von Bargen

Vice-Chair: Robert Bruno

Secretary: Jedidiah Watson

Treasurer: Douglas Love Biography 

Director: Michael O'Brien

Director: Bob Balich

Director: Dan Ryan

Director: Marcia Skelton  Biography 

Director: Brice Walker       Biography 

Ex officio: Steve McLean

Gary Padgett

Kris Nelson

Dennis Valerio

Liaison: Sean Padgett