THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS
PRESERVATION ALLIANCE OF MINNESOTA $110,000 MATCHING GRANT FROM NEW PARTNERS IN THE FIELD PROGRAM

Preservation Alliance of Minnesota is One of 24 Partners Sharing in $5 Million in Grants to Strengthen Local Preservation Efforts

FEBRUARY 28, 2008 (ST. PAUL, MINN) – The National Trust for Historic Preservation yesterday announced the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (Alliance) will receive a $110,000 Partners in the Field matching grant to deliver preservation information and provide technical assistance throughout the state. Twenty-four organizations nationally were selected as recipients of the inaugural, multi-year Partner in the Field grants. Funds will be used to expand the scope of on-the-ground field services and assistance to property owners, developers, local officials, and others needing information and tools to protect and enhance their communities.

The Alliance, based in St. Paul, was eligible to apply for the new matching grants because it is one of more than 100 Statewide and Local Partners of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Partners program, created in 1993, helps emerging and established state and local nonprofit preservation organizations by providing organizational development assistance, grant support, specialized workshops and training, information resources, and networking opportunities.

“Our statewide and local partners, including the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, are at the creative forefront of preservation in the 21st century,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Preservation fosters innovative solutions to complex problems. Our Partners in the Field matching grants will help our network of preservation organizations across the country use proven tools to save places and revitalize communities.”

“Minnesota has a long-held and highly valued tradition of grassroots activism and public process,” said Will Stark, Alliance Board Chair. “The Alliance is thrilled about the opportunity to nurture more local preservation efforts, and make our support and advice more widely available to members and organizations throughout the state.”

Partners in the Field challenge grants are funded by a $5 million gift to the National Trust for Historic Preservation from the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust and matched by significant contributions from local donors and foundations. The three-year grant through Partners in the Field will enable the Alliance to hire a third full-time staff person specifically dedicated to field services. The Alliance has already raised $75,000 toward its $110,000 goal. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from our donors in undertaking this challenge. They share our excitement for the opportunity to provide increased services across Minnesota,” said Bonnie McDonald, Alliance Executive Director. The Alliance anticipates having its match in place by the end of March, 2008. The new Field Representative is expected to be hired in summer, 2008 and will work closely with the National Trust’s Midwest Office in Chicago.

A total of $3 million was awarded in the first round of the new grant program, with another $2 million to be awarded next year. Round one awards ranging in size from $60,000 to $150,000 went to:

· APVA Preservation Virginia, $105,000, to provide hands-on technical assistance in local communities throughout Virginia;

· Bosco-Milligan Foundation (Portland OR), $150,000, to launch a new initiative of field services and technical assistance to meet critical preservation challenges in Portland;

· Center for Desert Archaeology (Tucson), $111,500, to expand the scope of historic preservation and conservation easement programs across the Southwest;

· Cleveland Restoration Society, $147,000, to provide preservation assistance and access to low-interest rehabilitation loans to homeowners throughout Northeast Ohio and statewide;

· Galveston Historical Foundation, $147,000, to educate the public to better prepare for natural disasters, work with lead-based paint and increase energy efficiency in historic buildings;

· Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, $140,000, to preserve more historic buildings, houses and structures throughout Georgia and use preservation field services as a catalyst for economic development;

· Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, $70,000, to expand field services to address unmet needs for hands-on preservation technical assistance;

· Historic Augusta (GA), $120,000, to provide expanded field services in the Greater Augusta area that incorporates preservation into community planning and development;

· Historic Boston, Inc., and Boston Preservation Alliance, $150,000, to collaborate in providing comprehensive neighborhood outreach and preservation services to 19 Boston Main Streets districts;

· Historic Denver, Inc., $122,000, to offer technical support and preservation services to historic communities and homeowners in Denver and its first ring suburbs;

· Historic Hawaii Foundation, $150,000, to deliver on-site technical preservation assistance and information services to rural and isolated communities on each of the major islands;

· Historic Savannah Foundation (GA), $90,000, to work with city government to bring preservation field services and technical expertise to underserved, threatened historic residential neighborhoods;

· Knox Heritage (TN), $97,500, to provide preservation field services in a nine-county Greater Knoxville region and increase regional preservation activities;

· Los Angeles Conservancy, $140,000, to expand historic preservation work and foster community-based preservation leadership in Los Angeles‘ Latino community;

· Michigan Historic Preservation Network, $75,000, to support a new, full-time preservation field representative working throughout the state, including the Upper Peninsula;

· Missouri Preservation, $125,000; to provide direct preservation field services and technical support throughout the state of Missouri;

· Montana Preservation Alliance, $150,000, to expand Most Endangered activities into a grassroots preservation program in collaboration with other state and national partners;

· Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, $150,000, to provide expanded preservation services to African American neighborhood organizations and homeowners;

· Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, $110,000, to deliver preservation information and provide technical assistance throughout the state of Minnesota;

· Preservation Maryland, $120,000; to provide expanded preservation field services to communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore;

· Preservation Massachusetts, $127,500, to expand preservation field services to Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket;

· Preservation North Carolina, $125,000, to establish full-time urban preservation services and work on preservation issues in North Carolina’s capital city, Raleigh;

· Preservation Pennsylvania, $150,000, to provide direct technical assistance and hands-on preservation expertise to communities throughout Pennsylvania;

· Preserve Rhode Island, $127,500, to establish an on-the-ground field services program in Rhode Island.

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories. For more information visit www.PreservationNation.org.

About the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota

The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota is the statewide, nonprofit historic preservation advocacy and education organization. Our mission-driven services empower local leaders across Minnesota with the tools needed to protect significant historic resources. The Alliance was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1981 by Minnesota citizens concerned about the future of the state’s architectural and cultural landmarks. The Alliance has grown into a network representing thousands of voices across the state. Beyond our membership, we collaborate and partner with organizations and agencies from the local to the national local level. For more information, visit our website at www.mnpreservation.org.