New Preservation Grant for Queens: The Elizabeth & Robert Jeffe Preservation Fund for NYC

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is pleased to announce creation of a new grant fund targeting historic preservation and community revitalization in New York City, made possible by the generous support of Elizabeth and Robert Jeffe.

The Elizabeth and Robert Jeffe Preservation Fund for New York City will provide seed monies to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for critical work in stewarding and safeguarding the rich heritage and vitality of the nation's largest city. These grants are intended to build capacity, leverage additional support, and provide momentum to get community preservation and revitalization projects off the ground, by providing capital in early stages and at important junctures.

More information, including application and guidelines, is available at: www.preservationnation.org/about-us/regional-offices/northeast/jeffe_preservation_fund_nyc.html

·         Government agencies and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Individuals and private, for-profit entities are ineligible.

·         Grants are awarded for planning and education activities focused on preservation and revitalization within New York City limits.  Examples of eligible activities include: retaining professional consulting services in areas such as architecture, archaeology, engineering, preservation or land-use planning, economics, fundraising, organizational development, media relations, and education; sponsoring workshops or community forums; designing, producing, and marketing printed materials or other media communications to advance historic preservation; surveys and inventories of historic resources.

·         Grants will not be awarded for bricks-and-mortar construction activities, property acquisition, salaries, operating expenses, staff time, or academic research. 

·         Grants must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Typical award amounts will generally range from $2,500 to $10,000 (in exceptional cases, up to $15,000).

·         The application deadline for the inaugural grant round is June 1, 2010. Thereafter, round deadlines are October 1, February 1, and June 1 yearly.

Applicants are required to contact the National Trust’s Northeast Office for guidance and assistance before submitting an application.

Northeast Office

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Brent Leggs, Field Representative

7 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4^th Floor

Boston, MA 02109

617-523-0885 ▪ brent_leggs@nthp.org 

The National Trust for Historic Preservation helps people protect, enhance, and enjoy the places that matter to them.  Learn more at www.PreservationNation.org

Historic Preservation Funds Available

Rego-Forest Preservation Council received an e-mail from the NY Landmarks Conservancy, and we consider this a must-read for property owners in need of funding for their historic properties, and for community preservation advocates:

As you may know, the New York Landmarks Conservancy is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and reusing architecturally and historically important buildings in New York City. Much of the Conservancy’s work takes place in low and moderate income neighborhoods, demonstrating over and over again the positive effect of historic preservation on community development and revitalization. Through its Neighborhood Preservation Programs, the Conservancy has provided millions of dollars in grants and low-interest loans, as well as countless hours of project management and technical assistance, to owners of all types of buildings.

There are funds available in our Neighborhood Preservation Programs to help finance exterior (and interior structural) capital work and related costs on older buildings. The properties need not be designated landmark buildings in all cases, as the funding programs have different guidelines. All of the programs are accompanied by project management assistance to foster landmark quality work and facilitate public approval processes. The Neighborhood Preservation Programs are:

1. Historic Properties Fund – A revolving loan fund for any type of property or owner. Low interest, collateralized loans for preservation work on buildings that are officially landmarks, within historic districts, or eligible for listing in the State or National Register of Historic Places. (Conservancy staff can help you to obtain this determination from the State Historic Preservation Office; it involves little further public regulation or compliance cost.) Loans range from $20,000 to approximately $300,000 per project.

2. City Ventures Fund – A grant program for nonprofit owners/developers of properties that serve lower income people. Although there is a priority for projects that provide affordable and special needs housing, properties that provide services to lower income people, such as employment training, socials services, and other educational purposes, are also eligible for funding. Capital grants of up to $30,000 are available for preservation work on older buildings that generally do not have any landmark status but have good architectural quality and integrity; consulting grants of up to $10,000 are available for professional services.

3. Emergency Preservation Grants – Capitalized by The New York Community Trust, a grant program for nonprofit owners of historic properties for emergency repair work. Grants of up to $25,000 are available for immediate work that addresses public safety, water penetration, or other issues that threaten the preservation of the property.

In addition to the Neighborhood Preservation Programs, the Conservancy also provides city and statewide matching grants specifically for houses of worship (Sacred Sites Fund). Visit our website at http://www.nylandmarks.org/ for more information about our programs. Please call me or any of the people listed below to see if your project may be eligible for one of our programs.

Thank you,

- Karen Ansis
Fund Manager, New York Landmarks Conservancy
karenansis@nylandmarks.org

One Whitehall Street, 21st Floor
New York, New York 10004
http://www.nylandmarks.org/
Tel: (212) 995-5260 Tel
Fax: (212) 995-5268 Fax

Program Coordinators:

Ashley Hahn: ashleyhahn@nylandmarks.org
Jim Mahoney: jamesmahoney@nylandmarks.org