Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in New York State directly engaged in the stewardship of historically significant properties that are accessible to the public. The applicant group must own or have at least a 6-year lease on the building/resource. Private residences are not eligible for this program. Special consideration will be given to those projects that have previously received a consulting grant from the Preservation League. State agencies, groups that steward state-owned buildings, NYS-owned sites, local municipalities, school districts, and private property owners are not eligible for this program. Prior Preservation League grant recipients must have successfully completed their funded project to apply. Eligible groups may apply for only one project per grant cycle.

Eligible Projects

The POF grant will support discrete capital projects on historic buildings, sites, structures, and objects. Eligible work may include but is not limited to restoration or repair of windows, masonry, roofing/structural systems, historic exteriors/interiors, historic finishes, or electrical and HVAC systems.

Work that is already underway or completed is not eligible for grant funding. This program will not fund acquisition costs, pre-development costs, new construction, or any work that does not physically preserve, restore, or rehabilitate the historic property. All projects funded through the POF are subject to Preservation League review before project work commences and must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties (36 CFR 68).

Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate one or more of the following:

• Have a history of Preservation League involvement

• Benefit traditionally underserved communities

• Prepare historic sites for the Semiquincentennial of the United States

• Incorporate training and apprenticeship opportunities in the preservation trades

• Advance sustainability goals in the face of climate change.

Grant Funds

Applicants must demonstrate their readiness to complete the project outlined in the application. Work must be completed within eighteen (18) months from the acceptance of the grant agreement or grant funds will be forfeited. Grant funds cannot be used toward applicant staff time or overhead costs or to reimburse project expenses already incurred. Funds will be disbursed upon completion of the project with the receipt of the contractor's invoice.

Grant awards will range in value from $10,000-$40,000. The minimum grant request is $10,000. All grant requests will require at least a 1:1 funding match from the applicant. This match must be in the form of dedicated, unexpended project funds, and cannot include in-kind donations. Soft costs may count towards the match, however, grant funds may only cover hard costs.

Application Review Criteria

The Preservation League will select grant recipients by considering, among other points, the following criteria:

• SIGNIFICANCE: Does the project address a historic resource that is significant, visible, and important to the community and New York State? Project properties do not require listing on the State or National Register of Historic Places.

• LEVEL OF PRESERVATION: Will the project protect a historic site, space, building, or element? Will the project comply with the Standards, or can it be adjusted to comply with the Standards?

• URGENCY: Is the resource imminently endangered (e.g., by development pressures, erosion, flooding, neglect) or is there a unique window of opportunity to complete the proposed project? Does this project address an urgent public need?

• CAPACITY: Does the applicant have a demonstrated understanding of the resource’s needs? Do they have the funding, capacity, and expertise to complete the project on time and within budget?

Application Process and Deadlines

The application process is entirely online through the Preservation League’s grant application system, SmarterSelect. You will need to create a user profile for your organization. If your organization has applied for a League grant previously, you will sign into your existing organization profile.

1. Letter of Intent (LOI) - Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent (LOI) by November 4, 2024 at 4:59 p.m. The LOI should be no more than 2 pages and should briefly address the POF criteria listed above as well as provide a brief summary of the proposed project. Complete details are provided in the application portal.

2. Application - After review of the LOIs, a limited number of applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Invitations to apply will be emailed in early December. Full applications will be due January 10, 2025 at 4:59 p.m.

3. Applicants will be notified by email in March.

Please direct questions to grants@preservenys.org

Applicant Responsibilities and Final Report

The successful applicant must:

• Sign and return the grant contract prior to commencing the project.

• Complete the funded project within eighteen months of the contract date.

• Provide clear before and after photos upon completion of the project that the League will use to promote the program.

• Work with League staff to publicize the grant and the completion of the project.

I want to apply for a POF grant. Where do I begin?

First, read the POF Grant Guidelines carefully to make sure that your organization and project meet the eligibility requirements. Next, attend our webinar on Wednesday, October 23 at 12:00 p.m. If you miss the webinar, a recording will be available on the POF website. Once you understand the program guidelines and have determined that your organization and project are eligible, you can submit a letter of intent (LOI). LOIs are due November 4, 2024 at 4:59 p.m. After review of the LOIs, a limited number of applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

I’m not sure if my project or organization meets the eligibility requirements listed in the POF grant guidelines. What should I do?

Contact Preservation League staff at grants@preservenys.org. We’re happy to discuss your project with you!

Are municipalities/units of local government or private property owners eligible to apply to the Preservation Opportunity Fund?

No, only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible.

What is a letter of intent (LOI)?

Also known as a letter of inquiry or interest, a LOI, as the name suggests, is a letter expressing your intent to apply for a grant. It's not a comprehensive grant proposal but rather a concise introduction to your organization and project. A LOI allows funders to assess whether a project aligns with their mission and goals. Once you log into the SmarterSelect grant portal, you will find detailed instructions regarding what information to include in your LOI for the Preservation Opportunity Fund.

How do I submit my LOI?

All LOIs must be submitted through the Preservation League’s grant application portal, SmarterSelect. You will need to create a user profile for your organization. If your organization has applied for a League grant previously, you will sign into your existing organization profile. Hard copy and emailed letters will not be accepted.

My LOI is longer than 2 pages. Can I still submit it?

Please limit your LOI to no more than 2 pages, using a reasonably sized font (11 or 12). Keep in mind that your responses to the LOI questions should be brief summaries only; this is not a full grant application. You are trying to give us a brief snapshot of your organization and your proposed project.

Do I need to have completed a building condition report prior to applying to POF?

While a building condition report, historic structure report, cultural landscape report, etc. is not required to apply for POF, these types of planning studies do help make a case for your proposed project and scope of work. They also help you, the applicant, determine the highest priority for repair/rehabilitation/restoration of your historic property.

Does my building have to be listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places in order to qualify for POF?

No, but the grant review panel does consider the architectural and/or historic significance of the historic resource as part of the grant application evaluation.

Do I need to have matching funds secured in order to submit a LOI?

No, you do not need to have the required 50% match secured at the time you submit a LOI. However, your LOI should briefly summarize potential and secured sources of matching funds.

Can soft costs like architectural services count towards the required 50/50 cash match?

Yes, soft costs can count towards your grant match. Note that the grant itself can only cover hard costs.

Is a building eligible for POF if it isn't currently accessible to the public (i.e. vacant or unsafe due to presence of hazardous materials) but long term plans are to make it accessible once construction is complete?

Yes.