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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmarks WHS HP Commission Training 6Chapter 6 – Preservation Commissions Budgets & Finances Page 1 - Preservation Commission Budget Development Commission budgets should reflect the level and degree of programs that the commission wants to engage, so budget development will go hand-in-hand with work plan development. Budget Considerations When developing a budget, a commission may want to consider these questions:  What are the current and long-term preservation needs of the community?  Should the commission create any historic districts?  Can the commission afford paid staff?  Has the commission developed historic preservation design guidelines specific to the community?  What advocacy and educational programs will the commission establish or maintain in the coming year?  Should the commission maintain a library or section in the local public library? To answer these questions, the commission should consider that conducting surveys and creating inventories is labor-intensive and will require funds for staff or hired consultants, photography, document production (such as forms and maps), and printing. Publication, printing, and labor costs also accrue for the development of design guidelines. Basic needs such as printing commission stationery, application forms, and Certificates of Appropriateness will be required. In addition to its work plans, the commission's budget will depend on and may fluctuate as a result of three factors:  The community's preservation ethic,  The commission's community-wide role, and  The community's short- and long-term preservation goals. Expense Items Commissions should account for the following expenses when developing a budget:  Advocacy and education programs. Many commissions sponsor awards programs that recognize quality restoration and rehabilitation projects. They also present workshops, host forums or presentations, and develop publications and promotional materials to educate the public.  Professional books, publications, and subscriptions. These should include a basic library of building rehabilitation and remodeling, identification of architectural styles and details, and all of the NPS Preservation Briefs. This library should include related trade magazine subscriptions such as:  Old House Journal  Traditional Building Magazine  Remodeling Magazine  Library or other publication reading area. Books and magazines should be made accessible to the public through the commission's office, a local library, or other convenient location.  Membership expenses. Important memberships include the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Preservation Forum and the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC), especially access to the list serves that can help with day-to-day questions.  Annual training expenses. If at all possible, a commission should include an annual training budget for its members. Training is available on a statewide level through the Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions (WAHPC) and on the national level through NAPC education and training programs that include bi-annual meetings and summer camps. Commission members are encouraged to join both of these organizations. Cost Sharing Some commissions, especially those in smaller communities, choose to cut costs and partner with smaller government departments or boards to share staff and operations/administration costs. In these cases, the commission and its partnering body should have a written agreement outlining the division of resources and staff time. It may also be helpful to share common items or equipment, such as cameras or audio/video equipment, with another governmental agency (whether partnering or not). For frequently used items, commissions may choose to purchase their own equipment. Page 2 – Funding Commission Preservation Activities Preservation activities and programs require financial support, and commission members should be involved in raising funds for such projects. As advocates of historic preservation, commission members need to be active in acquiring funding for its programs and activities, either through fundraising activities or seeking financial assistance. Fundraising Fundraising activities and special events, such as home tours and festivals, can bring in needed funds. These activities also serve as an opportunity to showcase past historic preservation accomplishments, to educate the public, and to build a positive image for preservation in the community. Financial Assistance Financial assistance for preservation activities may take the form of matching grants, low-interest loans, and in-kind donations. Potential sources include federal, state, and local funding programs for historic preservation; and corporations, private foundations, and individuals. When applying for grants, loans, or other sources of financial assistance, the commission needs to know exactly how much money is needed for proposed projects and how the money will be spent. The commission must be able to document its history & successes with past projects to demonstrate that it is capable of carrying out the proposed project. Funding from the National Trust for Historic Preservation The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers grants to fund projects such as planning studies, historic building reports, and building rehabilitation. Grants available through the National Trust are generally small (less than $10,000) and competitive. Financial assistance is offered through several preservation funding programs, including these three:  National Trust Preservation Funds The National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) offers matching grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies (who are members of the National Trust at the Forum or Main Street levels) for professional consultant services, preservation education programs, and conferences.  National Trust Emergency/Intervention Funding The National Trust offers limited emergency funding for nonprofit organizations and public agencies to save historic properties. Funding for Certified Local Governments The Wisconsin Historical Society's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) awards funds to communities designated as Certified Local Governments (CLGs). The CLG program is a national preservation program that helps local governments integrate historic preservation concerns into local planning decisions. A community must meet certain criteria to be designated a Certified Local Government (CLG). CLGs can apply for federal historic preservation grant money set aside specifically for CLGs. CLG funding is awarded through Wisconsin Historic Preservation Fund subgrants (PDF, 97 KB) administered by the State Historic Preservation Office. Grant amounts vary and are awarded annually based on selection criteria. CLG grant funds can be used to support a wide variety of projects, including  preparation of preservation ordinances and plans,  National Register nominations,  training for commission members and staff,  architectural surveys and historic resource inventories,  development of design guidelines,  public education activities and programs, and  conditions assessments. Projects and applications must meet the SHPO's criteria for evaluation. Prior to submitting an application, the CLG must  send a letter of intent to the HP-PH describing the proposed project and the approximate amount of funds needed.  The SHPO typically accepts letters of intent in September, and  grant applications are submitted in November. The CLG subgrant manual summarizes the federal regulations and state requirements to be applied to projects. The manual explains the procedures to be followed in administering the grant-assisted project and provides sample documents. Application forms are available on the Wisconsin Historical Society website. Page 3 – Alternative Preservation Funding Sources In addition to state and federal programs, some public and private foundations also support historic preservation activities. Some of the key financial assistance sources for preservation-related projects are listed below. Wisconsin Funding Sources  The Jeffris Family Foundation This private Wisconsin foundation is dedicated to historic preservation. It provides funds to nonprofit organizations for capital improvement projects, research projects, and publications that document historic preservation projects, the documentation of a significant event or activity related to Wisconsin's history, or projects furthering the cause of historic preservation in Wisconsin. The foundation primarily focuses on communities with populations less than 100,000. Past supported projects include: the removal of modern siding and exterior restoration of the Valentine Wolf House in Germantown; the restoration and reuse of Fairlawn Mansion and Museum in Superior; and long-range planning guide, a historic structures report, and the preservation studies for the Mineral Point Historical Society.  The Wisconsin Humanities Council The nonprofit Wisconsin Humanities Council offers matching grants for educational projects that target audiences of the adult public and that use the humanities to achieve a better understanding of public issues. The Wisconsin Humanities Council also offers a Historic Preservation Grant.  Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) WHEDA offers housing rehabilitation loans to low- and moderate-income property owners and owners of multi-family property.  Farm Service Agency, Wisconsin Office The Wisconsin office of the Farm Service Agency, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides loans to very low-income, rural homeowners for the rehabilitation of homes that are failing to meet minimum safety, sanitary, and disabled accessibility standards.  Wisconsin Division of Housing This agency administers Rental Rehabilitation Programs that offer low-interest loans to owners of rental property that meets HUD criteria and rented to low-income tenants. Local Funding Sources Local grants and loans are often available for the rehabilitation of historic properties. An active downtown revitalization organization or a local Main Street Program might offer such assistance. Museum Funding Source The Institute of Museum and Library Services provides grants to museums that have been in operation for a minimum number of years and have at least one permanent paid staff member.