National Trust for Historic Preservation Renews Funding Opportunity for Los Angeles County Preservation Projects

Posted April 8, 2011 | Contact pr@savingplaces.org or 202-588-6141

San Francisco, CA (April 8, 2011) –Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced the opening of the application period for the third round of grants from the Los Angeles County Preservation Fund. Grants from the Los Angeles County Preservation Fund provide seed monies (typical award $5,000 to $10,000) to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for preservation, stewardship, and community revitalization involving historic resources within Los Angeles County limits.

The Los Angeles County Preservation Fund was established in 2009 by a gift from Getty Foundation, with subsequent gifts from the Ahmanson Foundation and the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, and an additional gift by the National Trust Board of Advisors.  Funding for the third round was provided by a further gift from the Ahmanson Foundation, as well as an individual gift.

Intended to build credibility and public awareness of historic preservation activities, the seed grants give momentum to community preservation projects getting off the ground, providing capital in early stages and at critical junctures. A required dollar-for-dollar match means that the grants act as fundraising catalysts, leveraging additional financial support and community buy-in.

City governments, government agencies, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. The application deadline for the second grant round will close on May 20, 2011 (postmarked). Individuals and private, for profit businesses are not eligible to apply. For the Los Angeles County Preservation Fund application, as well as complete guidelines and instructions, please see:  www.preservationnation.org/lapf.

Grant awards will support activities and projects such as:

• Professional consulting services in areas such as architecture, archaeology, engineering, preservation or land-use planning, economics, organizational development, media relations and law;
• Bricks-and-mortar construction activities at historic sites and structures;
• Surveys and inventories of historic resources;
• Educational workshops, outreach activities, or community forums; and
• Designing and producing printed materials or other media communications to advance historic preservation.

The first two rounds of the Los Angeles County Preservation Fund generated a thematically and geographically diverse group of projects, including preservation of the gateways to Chinatown’s Central Plaza, a bas relief by a WPA sculptor at a Pasadena School, a survey of one of Glendale’s largest planned residential development, and a mid-century modern resource with close links to architects Richard and Dion Neutra’s evolving design ideas.

Funds may not be used: to acquire property or purchase equipment; to conduct academic research; for salaries, operating, or overhead expenses; expenses incurred prior to application; or to raise general operating funds towards capital campaign goals.

The Los Angeles County Preservation Fund is coordinated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation Western Office, in San Francisco, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Conservancy, a Partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Applicants are required to contact the National Trust for Historic Preservation Western Office for assistance in identifying an appropriate eligible project prior to submitting an application, as early as possible. For further information, please contact Melita Jureša-McDonald, Elizabeth Boylan or Hugh Rowland in the Western Office, 415.947.0692