Preservation Iowa is proud to honor individuals, organizations, projects, and programs whose work demonstrates a commitment to excellence in historic preservation. In doing so, we hope to inspire others to take action to preserve, protect, and promote historic resources. We are delighted at this time to engage with interested parties in applying for the first round of the Historic Iowa Country School Mini-Grant.
Project awards for this new grant will be presented during the annual Country School Preservation Conference. Winning projects will be awarded a onetime grant, as limited by availability, from Preservation Iowa. These projects will be highlighted on the Preservation Iowa website and Facebook pages with press releases to go out to the winning nominee’s community.
Eligibility
Click here do DOWNLOAD the mini grant application form. See below for application instructions.
Grant applications will be distributed at the annual Country School Preservation conference and can also be obtained from the Preservation Iowa by contacting director@preservationiowa.org and will be available on our webpage at www.preservationiowa.org under initiatives. Nominated projects must be located within the geographic boundaries of Iowa and work on this project must be currently under way and considered in need of funding.
Grants awarded must be used within 12 months of their awarded date. Unused funds within this dedicated time frame will be forfeited back into Preservation Iowa Mini- Grant fund for use in the next round of Grant administration. Nominations can be made by/for individual owners, corporations, development groups, or organizations. Property owner(s) must be notified, before submission of property/project, so they can be notified of the nomination status.
Mini-Grant – Funding may be used for preservation or restoration of Iowa one and two room country schools, country school grounds, interpretive programing to be used by these country school to educate visitors on the historical significance and tradition of Iowa’s historic country schools, or other matters of historic country school significance.
This grant may include funding for structural, foundational, electrical, plumbing, roofing, masonry, furnishing, education, or other historic restoration as defined by the Grants Administrative Board. The Mini-Grant amount will vary year to year from $200-$1,000. This is dependent upon the amount of funding raised from the annual country school conference less expenses which are covered. This grant shall be used only to fund work or projects completed after the Award date.
Participant requirement – Additionally awardees will be expected to present a summary of their projects at the following annual school house conference to explain how Mini-Grant funds were used.
Judging
Preservation Iowa invites a jury of experienced preservations which will review nominations. This specialized panel of judges will decide how to allocate these funds by deciding first which projects have completed thorough grant applications. Projects will be judged on degree of historic preservation excellence, community impact, quality of work completed, and the potential for the timely completion of the project. Projects not awarded will be allowed to resubmit projects yearly as long as they fall within Grant parameters. It is important to note that usually only one grant will be awarded each year.
Entry Guidelines
One (1) nomination packet should be submitted for jurors’ review, and should include:
Completed nomination form (DOWNLOAD NOMINATION FORM PDF)
A typed narrative, no longer than 750 words, describing the project. The narrative should clearly address each of the following:
- The beginning and projected ending date of the project.
- Description of before condition and historic significance of the building. Include building’s square footage and building construction date
- Description of work or program completed.
- Project challenges and creative solutions.
- The project’s long range impact on the neighborhood/community.
- Accomplishments or contributions (if individual or organizational award)
- Description of project funding.
- Intended use of Mini-Grant Funding
- Other supporting information
At least 2 and no more than 6 photographs documenting the project, including before and after images which may be submitted as:
- High resolution digital images are preferred (.jpg). Digital images can be submitted by email.
- Where necessary please include photo credits.
Nomination Fee
There are no nomination fees.
Submission
One (1) copy of the nomination packet described above should be submitted via email. Digital images and nominations may be emailed to director@preservationiowa.org. Any additional questions may be directed to Bill Sherman, Iowa Country School Preservationist, at wsherman41@gmail.com or Caleb Giesel, Executive Director Preservation Iowa, at 319.526.8474 or director@preservationiowa.org.
DEADLINE: Friday November 18, 2016
Submitted materials will not be returned. Submission to the Iowa Historic Country School Mini-Grant provides Preservation Iowa permission to use materials in organization promotional materials.
