2011 Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund Grants Available

Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Announces 2011 Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund Grant Program Grant Deadline Date Changed for Assistance to Local Preservation Projects   The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has announced that grant applications for the 2011 Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund are being accepted.  This deadline date for applications has been changed this year to October 1^st.   Established in 1997, the program has awarded 70 projects totaling over $58,000 in funding to local historic preservation organizations and advocates engaged in the important work of preserving Washington’s cultural heritage.  While priority is given to bricks and mortar rehabilitation of historic resources, eligible projects also include preservation planning, producing publications/materials to assist with advocacy efforts, and development of interpretive elements that promote the preservation of a specific resource.  “While we assist communities statewide in a variety of ways, we are especially proud to continue our tradition of providing modest yet meaningful grants to local, grassroots preservation efforts across Washington,” stated Jennifer Meisner, Executive Director of the Washington Trust.  Changes to the application deadline will provide grant recipients a full calendar year in which to complete funded projects.  Recent grants from the Washington Preserves Fund have been awarded to assist with a variety of projects and preservation activities, including a roof replacement for the Carpenter House Museum in Cle Elum, as well as assisting with the restoration work at the Old Fire Station in Northport and survey work to complete formation of the Barge-Chestnut Historic District in Yakima.  “As an advocate for preservation, I know that grant support for local heritage projects has a terrific impact in a community,” said Kris Bassett, Chair of the Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund.  “Each community is the true keeper of their significant historic properties and the Washington Trust is thrilled to be involved by supporting important preservation efforts across the state.” The next deadline for submitting grant applications is Friday, October 1, 2010.  Applications submitted via email must be received by 5pm that day.  If a hard copy is being sent via U.S. Mail, application materials must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2010.  All application materials are available on the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s website at www.wa-trust.org.  For additional questions about the application and for information on donating to the Valerie Sivinski Washington Preserves Fund, please contact Chris Moore at 206-624-9449 or via email at cmoore@wa-trust.org.