Applications now open for grants

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 support historic preservation at the community level. The Washington Trust is announces that the application for the 2020 round of Sivinski Fund grants is now open. The deadline for submitting an application is Oct. 15.

Established in 1997, the Sivinski Fund has awarded grants to 146 projects totaling over $155,000 worth in funding and services to local historic preservation organizations and advocates engaged in the important work of preserving Washington’s cultural heritage.

“Successful historic preservation is rooted in partnerships,” said Jennifer Mortensen, outreach director for the Washington Trust. “We are honored to be able to support local communities and help make historic preservation happen at the local level through the Valerie Sivinski Fund.”

Funding priority for the Sivinski Fund grants goes to “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. 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.

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 fund is dedicated to saving the places that matter in Washington state and promoting sustainable and economically viable communities through historic preservation. The Washington Trust helps make local preservation work and builds an ethic that preserves Washington’s historic places through advocacy, education, collaboration and stewardship. Founded in 1976, the Washington Trust addresses its mission through the Valerie Sivinski Fund; its list of Washington's most endangered places; educational tours of its landmark headquarters, the Stimson-Green Mansion in Seattle; conferences and training workshops; the Youth Heritage Project, a summer program for high school students; This Place, a magazine published quarterly; and action on legislation and public policy. Visit the Washington Trust website at preservewa.org for more information.