HOW ME THE MONEY! Financial Incentives & Opportunities for Historic Preservation

HOW ME THE MONEY! Financial Incentives & Opportunities for Historic Preservation

Guidance for Seeking Funding 1. Understanding what programs can and cannot fund or support 2. Completing the application itself 3. Moving through requirements

Understanding what Programs Can or Cannot Fund Make sure your project is the right fit Eligible to apply Meet the minimum/threshold criteria If you are unsure, ask the grant staff Look at examples of previously funded projects Is the proposed project the next logical step? Has the necessary pre-planning taken place?

When Applying Understand the funding requirements Include only eligible expenses Know what can and cannot be used for match Demonstrate the match is in place or there is a clear plan for raising it Repeat applicants Ask for reviewers comments on previous application Re-write the application based on comments

Supplemental Information should enhance the application but not take its place. Letters of support How important are they? Some programs more than others Should spell out that supporter s role in the project Letter of resolution Often required and considered threshold criteria Photos Should tell the story, show the threat, support the application Must be clear and include good captions

Moving through the Requirements Know what is going to be required BEFORE applying for the grant Federal Funding - OMB Circulars be familiar with the overall requirements for Debarment and Certification Assurances for Construction and non-construction Audit requirements www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars Remember that matching funds must follow the same rules as the grant funds

Major Federal Hoops COMPETITIVE SELECTION Consultants, contractors, equipment, supplies REVIEWS/APPROVALS Send information early, get input Required to receive reimbursement REQUIREMENTS Reports, signs, photos, restrictions, easements, audits, time limits

Good Projects might get funded again! Maintain a close relationship with your project manager, keep them informed, respond to them quickly Complete reporting on time, request extensions in advance, know your deadlines and what is required Have a back up for the person managing your project

Wyoming Opportunities CLG Grants Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund grants TEAL Grants through WY DOT Wyoming Business Council

National Trust Opportunities Preservation Planning grants Regional & National funds Smaller in size - good seed money Intervention Funds Emergency funding Loans Low interest, often for hard to fund projects Ability to syndicate tax credits for non-profits www.preservationnation.org

Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) Non-Competitive Grant Programs HPF Grants to fund State Historic Preservation Offices Annual grants awarded to 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 8 Territories 10% of funding directed to Certified Local Governments HPF Grants to fund Tribal Historic Preservation Offices Annual grants awarded to 78 Tribes

Examples of Different Preservation Programs of NPS Save America s Treasures bricks and mortar for Nationally significant resources Preserve America tourism planning for local communities Battlefield Protection acquisition of land and planning HBCU bricks and mortar for HBCUs only NCPTT technical preservation study CLG local government funding, varies by state Tribal various types of cultural preservation for Federally recognized tribes

National Park Service Heritage Preservation Assistance Programs Historic Preservation Grants For More Information on other HPF Grant programs: www.nps.gov/history/hps/hpg

National Park Service Heritage Preservation Assistance Programs Historic Preservation Grants Division Save America s Treasures Federal Grants Program

The Save America s Treasures Program began in 1998 to celebrate the millennium Celebrating the 10th Anniversary Competitively awarded to nationally significant historic properties and collections Average of $30 million appropriated annually Half the funds earmarked by Congress Mission Concepcion San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Texas Central High School, Little Rock, Arkansas

What Does SAT Fund? Preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant historic collections and properties. Perimeter Fence, Manzanar National Historic Site Independence, California Historic Properties Buildings Sites Historic districts Structures Objects Mimbres Pottery University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Historic Collections Artifacts Works of art Documents Sculpture Performance art

Who Can Apply for SAT? Federal agencies Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c) organizations Units of State or Local government Federally recognized Indian Tribes Historic properties and collections associated with active religious organizations may apply must be nationally significant Cliff Dwellings, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado Eldridge Street Synagogue New York, New York

SAT Application Process Applications available online: www.nps.gov/history/hps/treasures NEW electronic application process www.grants.gov Deadline: May 20, 2008, 11:59 pm Grants awarded in late 2008 By law, only one SAT award per project Ten Chimneys, Genesee Depot, Wisconsin Cliff Dwellings, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

SAT Details $11 million to award competitively in FY 2008 Minimum requests Properties = $125,000 grant ($250,000 project) Collections = $25,000 grant ($50,000 project) Maximum request $700,000 ($1,400,000 project) The Rosa Parks Bus The Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan

Save America s Treasures Projects:

Deer Lodge Courthouse Anaconda, MT San Juan Mining District Lakewood, CO $64,806 grant Awarded in 1999 $147,793 grant Awarded in 2006

Virginia City Historic District Virginia City, MT Bodie Mining Historic District Bodie, CA $300,000 grant Awarded in 2001 $257,000 Awarded in 2005

SAT Story to date. 1999 through 2008 3,941 applications received $1.275 billion requested Awarded $278 million to 1037 projects (498 competitive & 539 earmarks) Grants awarded in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Midway Islands Piper s Opera House Virginia City, Nevada Drayton Hall, Charleston, South Carolina

What do Funders Want? 10. Deadlines they re not just suggestions, they are real! 9. Keep it simple although fancy binders and clips do make nice office supplies for us! 8. Are you using the current application form? Oops! 7. 2+2=5? Check math, proofread, review don t be the only eyes! 6. Don t assume knowledge, explain everything! 5. Is your project eligible? Logical next step? 4. Less is more would you want to read all this - times 70? 3. Good photos but bad photos and really we don t need to see the toilet! 2. Start Early, Start Early, Start Early!! 1. No, you can t bribe a grants manager, but being nice to them will go a LONG, LONG way!

Questions?