2012 GUIDELINES

The Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) are pleased to offer the 2012 Preserve New York (PNY) Grant Program. Preserve New York provides support to identify, document, and preserve New York's cultural and historic buildings, structures and landscapes. Begun in 1993, Preserve New York makes grants for historic structure reports, historic landscape reports and cultural resource surveys.

Please note that you first must discuss your project with League Technical and Grants staff before you can receive an application. Applications are not available online. 

Who is eligible to apply? 

Not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and units of local government are eligible to apply. Arts and cultural organizations are particularly encouraged to apply or support applications.Applicants cannot apply to Preserve New York and the New York State Council on the Arts for the same project.

Applicants that previously received Preserve New York funding must have successfully completed their projects to be eligible for the 2012 grant round. State agencies, friends groups of NYS-owned sites, religious institutions, and private property owners are ineligible to apply.

What if I need support for a different preservation project?

Preserve New York grants only fund historic structure reports, historic landscape reports and cultural resource surveys. The PNY program is not able to provide any capital or “bricks and mortar” funding. If you are seeking funding for other preservation projects or capital support, please see the NYSCA guidelines online at www.nysca.org or email apd (at) nysca.org or cap (at) nysca.org, respectively. NYSCA also offers a free online directory of corporations and foundations providing capital funding. 

What is a historic structure report?

A historic structure report is a comprehensive documentation study usually undertaken at the beginning of a major restoration or rehabilitation project. 

A complete historic structure report should include, at a minimum:

• a description of the historic development of the building
• an analysis of its current condition
• drawings (may include sketches and measured drawings) and photographs
• recommendations for its restoration, rehabilitation or treatment
• preliminary cost estimates

This program also requires that a New York State Historic Resource Inventory Form be completed as part of the project if the building is not listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Please note that the PNY program does not fund less comprehensive projects such as existing condition reports or engineering studies.  Groups may apply for historic structure report support only for properties in which they have an ownership or a formal, long-term rental by the application deadline. If the applicant is a historic site, it must be open at least 120 days/year in order to qualify for the Preserve New York Program.

For more information on historic structure or landscape reports, see the National Park Service’s Preservation Brief 43, The Preparation and Use of Historic Structure Reports at http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief43.htm.  You can also order a copy at 866-512-1800.  For more information on how to nominate your site to the State or National Register of Historic Places, see the New York State Office of Historic Preservation’s website at http://www.nysparks.com/shpo/national-register/.

What is a historic landscape report?

A historic landscape report is a comprehensive documentation study usually undertaken at the beginning of a major restoration or rehabilitation project. 

A historic landscape report is a comprehensive documentation study usually undertaken at the beginning of a major restoration or rehabilitation project. 

A complete historic landscape report should include, at a minimum:

• a description of the historic development of the landscape
• an analysis of its current condition
• drawings (may include sketches and measured drawings) and photographs
• recommendations for its restoration, rehabilitation or treatment
• preliminary cost estimates

This program also requires that a New York State Historic Resource Inventory Form be completed as part of the project if the property is not listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places.  Please note that the PNY program does not fund less comprehensive projects such as planting plans or existing condition reports.  Groups may apply for historic landscape report support only for properties in which they have an ownership or a formal, long-term rental by the application deadline. If the applicant is a historic site, it must be open at least 120 days/year in order to qualify for the Preserve New York Program.

For more information on historic structure or landscape reports, see the National Park Service’s Preservation Brief 36, Protecting Cultural Landscapes: Planning, Treatment and Management of Historic Landscapes, at http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief36.htm.  You can also order a copy at 866-512-1800.  For more information on how to nominate your site to the State or National Register of Historic Places, see the New York State Office of Historic Preservation’s website at http://www.nysparks.com/shpo/national-register/.

What is a cultural resource survey?

A cultural resource survey identifies, assesses and recognizes historic buildings, structures and areas.  A survey is undertaken when creating historic districts or otherwise planning for the preservation and revitalization of a historic area.  A survey may be defined geographically (for example, a downtown commercial district or an entire village) or thematically (for example, barns or canal-related buildings throughout a town). Depending on the project goals and how much survey work has been completed previously, support may be available for the preparation of:

• broad historic overview and existing conditions statements
• detailed descriptions of the historic buildings and sites within the survey area
• statements of historic and architectural significance
• photographs and maps
• nominations for local, state and national historic designation

For more information on survey projects, please call your National Register staff person at the Field Services Bureau of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to discuss your project, 518-237-8643. For information on who to contact, please visit the SHPO website at http://www.nysparks.coms/shpo/contact/ or call Kathy Howe, Survey and Evaluation Coordinator, at 518-237-8643, ext. 3266. Please visit http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/ for information on the National Register. The National Park Service has links to all of its National Register informational Bulletins and Brochures, at http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/publications/index.htm. These brochures range from the basics on how to apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation, to guides on evaluating and documenting many different types of cultural resources.

How can the grant money be used?

The grant program is intended to support the direct costs of carrying out the types of projects described above. These can include consultant fees and in-state travel, photography, report production costs and other associated expenses.

How much money is available?

A total of $83,674 is available statewide and will be split among the three types of eligible projects.  Grants are likely to range between $3,000 and $10,000.

Is a financial match required?

A formal match (funds, materials or in-kind services) is not required; however, the Preservation League and the New York State Council on the Arts expect to see a project budget that reflects the applicant’s meaningful commitment to the project. This commitment could be reflected in either cash or in-kind contributions. Given great program demand and fiscal limitations, it is highly desirable for the applicant group to demonstrate some form of cash commitment. The consultant fee should reflect the applicant’s understanding of the value of these professional services. Please note that this program may not be able to fully fund the grant amounts requested. 

What are the funding considerations?

The grant panel members will evaluate:

• architectural and historic significance of the building, landscape or area
• need for the project and for financial support at this time
• applicant group’s ability to carry out the project within a stated schedule
• applicant group’s ability to raise sufficient funds to complete the project
• appropriateness of the project budget and consultant(s)
• extent of local support for the project
• likelihood that significant restoration or planning work will result
• applicant group’s willingness to pursue designation on the local, State or National Register of Historic Places, if not already designated

In 2012, the Preservation League especially encourages projects that:

• advance the preservation of neighborhoods and downtowns that qualify for the New York State Rehabilitation Tax Credit programs
• identify and protect the built and cultural environments, including buildings, communities and landscapes, at risk due to energy and/or technological development including wind energy, communications developments, transportation impacts, and energy extraction processes
• continue the use of historic public buidings such as museums, theaters and libraries for cultural, interpretive, and artistic purposes

When are the applications due?

Applications must be postmarked no later than May 7, 2012. Please be certain to follow the directions included in the application for assembling the packets.

When will applicant groups be notified of the results?

Applicants will be notified by mail in early September 2012.

If your organization and your project meet these guidelines, please call the League staff to discuss your potential application:  Prospective applicants MUST first discuss their potential project with the appropriate League staff person:

Erin Tobin, Regional Director of Technical and Grant Programs for Eastern New York, New York City and Long Island (518-462-5658, ex 12) or etobin (at) preservenys.org or

Tania Werbizky, Regional Director of Technical and Grant Programs for Western, Central New York and the Southern Tier (607-272-6510) or twerbizky (at) preservenys.org.

The Preservation League of New York State is a private, not-for-profit organization that works to protect and enhance the Empire State’s historic buildings, landscapes and neighborhoods. The Preserve New York Grant Program is made possible through funding from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Click here to review a territory map