Funding Commission Preservation Activities
Chapter 6: Preservation Commission Budgets and Finances, Page 2 of 3
Preservation activities and programs require financial support, and commission members should be involved in raising funds for such projects. As advocates of historic preservation, commission members need to be active in acquiring funding for its programs and activities, either through fundraising activities or seeking financial assistance.
Fundraising
Fundraising activities and special events, such as home tours and festivals, can bring in needed funds. These activities also serve as an opportunity to showcase past historic preservation accomplishments, to educate the public, and to build a positive image for preservation in the community.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance for preservation activities may take the form of matching grants, low-interest loans, and in-kind donations. Potential sources include federal, state, and local funding programs for historic preservation; and corporations, private foundations, and individuals.
When applying for grants, loans, or other sources of financial assistance, the commission needs to know exactly how much money is needed for proposed projects and how the money will be spent. The commission must be able to document its history and succeses with past projects to demonstrate that it is capable of carrying out the proposed project.
Funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers grants to fund projects such as planning studies, historic building reports, and building rehabilitation. Grants available through the National Trust are generally small (less than $10,000) and competitive. Financial assistance is offered through several preservation funding programs, including these three:
National Trust Preservation Funds
The National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) offers matching grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies (who are members of the National Trust at the Forum or Main Street levels) for professional consultant services, preservation education programs, and conferences.National Trust Emergency/Intervention Funding
The National Trust offers limited emergency funding for nonprofit organizations and public agencies to save historic properties.
Funding for Certified Local Governments
The Wisconsin Historical Society's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) awards funds to communities designated as Certified Local Governments (CLGs). The CLG program is a national preservation program that helps local governments integrate historic preservation concerns into local planning decisions. A community must meet certain criteria to be designated a Certified Local Government (CLG).
CLGs can apply for federal historic preservation grant money set aside specifically for CLGs. CLG funding is awarded through Wisconsin Historic Preservation Fund subgrants (PDF, 97 KB) administered by the State Historic Preservation Office. Grant amounts vary and are awarded annually based on selection criteria.
CLG grant funds can be used to support a wide variety of projects, including preparation of preservation ordinances and plans, National Register nominations, training for commission members and staff, architectural surveys and historic resource inventories, development of design guidelines, public education activities and programs, and conditions assessments.
Projects and applications must meet the SHPO's criteria for evaluation. Prior to submitting an application, the CLG must send a letter of intent to the HP-PH describing the proposed project and the approximate amount of funds needed. The SHPO typically accepts letters of intent in September, and grant applications are submitted in November.
The CLG subgrant manual summarizes the federal regulations and state requirements to be applied to projects. The manual explains the procedures to be followed in administering the grant-assisted project and provides sample documents. Application forms are available on the Wisconsin Historical Society website.