Grant program requests now open

The Valerie Sivinski Fund is an annual program of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation that provides grants of up to $2,000 to organizations engaged in historic preservation around Washington State. The goal of the fund is to provide small yet meaningful amounts of money to help support historic preservation where it really happens: at the community level. The Washington Trust is pleased to announce that the application for the 2019 round of Sivinski Fund grants is now open. The deadline for submitting an application is Monday, October 1, 2018.

Established in 1997, the Sivinski Fund has awarded grants to 138 projects totaling more than $145,000 worth in funding and services to local historic preservation organizations and advocates engaged in the important work of preserving Washington’s cultural heritage. Historic places not only represent our history, but are part of our collective cultural identity. Preserving historic places allows communities to build a future on that meaningful identity and the valuable historic resources already at hand. Historic resources contribute to vibrant communities and architectural diversity.

“For over 20 years, the Valerie Sivinski Fund has been a catalyst for local historic preservation projects that protect our state’s shared history,” said Jennifer Mortensen, the Preservation Services Coordinator of the Washington Trust. “This grant program truly embodies the mission of the Washington Trust by supporting local, grassroots preservation, which is the lifeblood of our movement. Grant awards from the Sivinski Fund help make local preservation possible.”

Sivinski Fund grants are designed to support “brick and mortar” projects that contribute to the preservation of a specific historic place. Projects that include costs directly related to physical materials and preservation are preferred, but grant funds may also be used to hire preservation professionals or organize preservation advocacy efforts for a specific historic resource.

Applications must be submitted by an organized group such as an incorporated non-profit, an unincorporated citizens or advocacy group, a public agency or civic organization, or a religious organization. Applicants for Sivinski Fund grants are required to become members of the Washington Trust (at the non-profit level or above) if they are not already current members.

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2019 round of Sivinski Fund grants is Monday, October 1, 2018. The online application form, along with all program details, can be accessed on the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s website at: preservewa.org/sivinski. The application process is entirely online, and must be submitted by midnight of the due date. Award recipients will be announced at the Washington Trust's annual Sivinski Holiday Benefit in December.

Please contact Jennifer Mortensen at 206-462-2999 or via email at jmortensen@preservewa.org for more information.