How To

FUND YOUR

PRESERVATION PROJECT

1. Raise money

to support what

matters.People give because they feel

passionate about a cause and

because they believe they can

make a difference.

2. People give to

people.Find out as much as possible about

prospective supporters in order to

build meaningful and lasting

relationships.

3. Be accountable and ethical.It’s important to accurately track and report fundraising revenue and expenses. Be

transparent with those who are helping support your work.

4. Start with a

plan.Make a list of people and

places you will ask for

funding. Decide when you’ll

write your letters and/or apply

for grants. Always read the

guidelines for any grants you

apply for.

5. Search beyond traditional sources.Start with the National Trust Preservation Fund. Also consider private-sector

philanthropies, corporate and family foundations, and community trusts. Think

outside the box.

6. Look at national

funding resources.Explores websites like Grants.gov and

other institutions like the National Park

Service, The Getty, and the

Foundation of the American Institute

for Conservation, for example.

7. Research state

funding resources.Talk to someone in your State

Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

Also look for community foundations

in your state.

8. Don’t forget local

funding resources.Again, reach out to your SHPO for ideas

on how to find local funding. And if your

community is a Certified Local

Government, it’s eligible for CLG grants

that help a variety of preservation projects.

9. Explore emergency grants.If your historic site has been damaged recently by an unexpected event such as a

flood, fire, or high winds, it may also be eligible for a National Trust

Emergency/Intervention Fund Grant. Funding can also be used to support advocacy

campaigns in response to pending legislation or development pressures.

10. Never give up.Think about fundraising as a

conversation with someone, not a

transaction, and you may find that it

comes more naturally than you think.

Don’t forget, the most important part is

simply asking.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America’s

historic places. Preservation Tips & Tools helps others do the same

in their own communities.

For more information, visit SavingPlaces.org.

Hazma Butt/Flickr/CC BY 2.0; el-toro/Flickr?CC

BY 2.0; Ana Manzar08/Flickr/CC BY 2.0; Jason

Eppink/Flickr/CC BY 2.0; Hazma Butt/Flickr/CC

BY 2.0; Savannah River Site/Flickr/CC BY 2.0;

www.GlynLowe.com/Flickr/CC BY 2.0; Hazma

Butt/Flickr/CC BY 2.0; Hazma Butt/Flickr/CC BY

2.0; Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr CC BY-NC

2.0; Alim Akbashev/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0.