How to Save a Place: How to Fund Your Preservation Project

It takes money to make things happen. Money enables you to hire craftsmen, build advocacy campaigns, purchase materials and equipment, and much more. Asking for funding doesn’t have to be a daunting challenge, though. No matter your approach, there is one universal truth about fundraising: People give because someone asked them.

This toolkit provides you with some fundamental steps for fundraising. If you can put these basics into practice, then you will increase your chances of turning an ask into financial support for your great preservation work.

1. 2 National Trust for preservation
Historic Preservation” TIPS&TOOLS

Swipe for tips

2. 1. Raise money to support
what matters.

Fundraising isn't about money—it's about
your mission. People give because they feel
passionate about a cause and because they
believe they can make a difference. When
you ask for money (whether it's a
fundraising letter or grant application),
highlight the work you are doing to make a
difference and tell your donor specifically
how their funds will help.

3. 2. People give to people.

People are behind the foundations,
corporations, and government agencies
that you might appeal to for a grant or
donation. Each individual donor has
unique interests and expectations. Find
‘out as much as possible about
Prospective supporters in order to build
meaningful and lasting relationships.

3. Be accountable and
ethical.

It’s important to accurately track and
report fundraising revenue and
expenses. Be transparent with those
who are helping support your work. A
big part of transparency is sharing
results. Hosting tours and events for
donors at your historic site help you
show that their financial support made a

tangible differen

4. 4. Successful fundraising
starts with a plan.

Before you can reach out to individuals and
institutions, you need to have a funding goal
and a plan for how you'll reach it. Make a list of
people and places you will ask for funding and
include details about how much you'll ask for
from each. Decide when you'll write your letters
and/or apply for grants; you'll likely need
funding at different points of your project.
Don't forget, always read the guidelines for any
grants you apply for.

5. philanthropies, rations and
foundations, fe undations, and Co!
trusts, to name
about any local or individual trusts, bequests, and
foundations that might embrace the goals of the
preservation project. Try reaching out on social
media to connect with a new audience of
supporters, or host a special fundraising event.
Think outside the box.

6. 6. Look at national
funding resources.

Check out Grants.gov for a
comprehensive list of all federal

grant opportunities. The National
Park Service also administers a

range of grants. And there are N
plenty of others out there, such as II
* The Getty and Tourism Cares.

7. Don’t forget local
funding resources.
Reach out to your local historic
preservation office for ideas on
where to find local funding. If your
community is a Certified Local
Government, it’s eligible to apply for
Certified Local Government Grants
that help fund a variety of historic
preservation projects.

7. 8. Also researc!
funding resol

Photo by Rhema Kallianpurs

8. 9. Explore emergency grants. \

If your historic site has been damaged in the
last few weeks by an unexpected event such as À
a flood, fire, or high winds, it may also be

eligible for a National Trust Emergency/
Intervention Fund Grant. Funding can also be
used to support advocacy campaigns in
response to pending legislation or

‘development pressures. We at the National
Trust are always happy to talk through your
situation and help you if your project qualifies

and we have funding available. L

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9. 10. Never give up.

Fundraising doesn't have to be tricky.
Think about it more as a conversation
with someone (whether it's in person
‘or on paper), not a transaction, and
you may find that it comes more
naturally than you think. Don't forget,
the most important part is simply
asking.

Photo by Kaitlyn Baker, Unsplash

10. Bonus Tip: Maintaining
Relationships

Part of fundraising is building and maintaining
relationships. That includes measuring the
impact of the money raised and sharing it with
your contributors—in the form of an annual
reports to your members or more formal final
reports to larger foundations. It can also be as
simple as a follow up email to express
gratitude, and keep donors informed. These
actions will keep lines of communications open
for future funding opportunities.