LEAGUE GRANT PROGRAM and OTHER FUNDING SOURCES

League Grant Program:

Preserve New York

-Overview

2007 Grant Recipients

2006 Grant Recipients

2005 Grant Recipients

2004 Grant Recipients

2003 Grant Recipients

2002 Grant Recipients

Other Funding Sources:

Internships

Links for Funding & Research

National Trust for Historic Preservation

New York State Council on the Arts

New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)

New York Landmarks Conservancy

New York State Department of Transportation (TEA-21)

The Great American Station Foundation

National Endowment for the Arts

Preserve New York Grant Program

A Grant Program of the Preservation League of New York State and the New York Council on the Arts

2008 Guidelines

The Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Arts are pleased to offer the 2008 Preserve New York (PNY) Grant Program to municipalities and not-for-profit organizations undertaking historic structure reports, historic landscape reports and cultural resource surveys.  The Preservation League, a statewide, not-for-profit organization, and the Council, the state’s arts funding agency, have collaborated on this grant program annually since 1993.  Through the program, the two groups seek to support efforts to plan for the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings and landscapes throughout the state.

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? 

Municipalities and not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply unless they are applying directly for project funding from the New York State Council on the Arts' Architecture, Planning and Design Program (APD) in 2008.  Organizations may apply to either Preserve New York or APD for a project, not both.  IMPORTANT NOTE: groups currently receiving General Operating Support or General Program Support from APD are ineligible to apply for an additional APD grant but MAY apply for Preserve New York support.  Groups that previously received funding through the Preserve New York grant program must have successfully completed their projects to be eligible for the 2008 grant round.  State agencies, religious institutions and private property owners are ineligible for support.

What types of projects are eligible for funding?

Three types of projects are eligible for support: 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, please see the NYSCA guidelines online at www.nysca.org, or contact Anne Van Ingen, Director of the NYSCA APD Program, at 212-741-7013 to discuss project eligibility. 

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.  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 or stewardship interest by the application deadline. 

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 www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/presbhom.htm.  Go to www.nps.gov and follow links for Historic Buildings and Structures or 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.state.ny.us/shpo/register/nomination_process.htm.

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 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.  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 or stewardship interest by the application deadline. 

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 www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/presbhom.htm.  Go to www.nps.gov and follow links for Historic Buildings and Structures or 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.state.ny.us/shpo/register/nomination_process.htm.

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.  If your are not sure who to contact, please visit the SHPO website at www.nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo or call Mark Peckham, National Register Unit Supervisor, at
518-237-8643, ex. 3258.  You should also visit www.cr.nps.gov/nr for information on the National Register, and see National Register Bulletin 24, Guidelines for Local Surveys: A Basis for Preservation Planning, available at www.cr.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins.htm.  The website also has other helpful publications for particular types of 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 travel, photography, report production costs and other associated expenses.

How much money is available?

A total of $141,400 is available statewide and will be split among the three types of eligible projects.  Grants are likely to range between $3,000 and $15,000.

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.  Also, 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 2008, the Preservation League especially encourages projects
that:

• advance the preservation of neighborhoods that qualify for the New York State residential rehabilitation tax credit
• preserve architecture and landscapes of the recent past
• preserve historic bridges and transportation corridors including rural roads, canals, and related structures
• continue the use of historic municipal buildings
• support Main Street revitalization

When are applications due?

Applications must be postmarked no later than May 5, 2008.  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, 2008.

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