The Conservancy’s Emergency Grant Program (EPGP) comes to the rescue when an immediate hazard threatens a landmark building. The program directs its resources toward immediately needed work on historic properties owned by non-profit organizations. Its intention is to address discrete exterior building problems that have recently arisen, such as new leaks, fire damage, and falling masonry. Since 1999, EPGP has underwritten over $545,000 in grants.
EPGP grants are not advanced to underwrite building-wide issues or major capital improvements that are part of a larger plan.
General Guidelines
Uses of Funds: Immediate repairs to or replacement of portions of the exteriors of buildings and structural work within, as well as fees for professional services and other related costs of the project. The need to undertake the work requires a finding of one or more of the following circumstances:
1. Presents a hazard to people inside or outside of the property;
2. Endangers the long-term stability of the structure; or
3. Jeopardizes the architectural integrity of the exterior of the structure and/or important elements of the interior.
Grant Range: $2,500 to $25,000 (matching is not necessarily required). Average grant range is $10,000 to $12,000 per project.
Eligible Types of Property: Within the five boroughs of the City of New York, facilities owned and occupied by nonprofit organizations, excluding religious properties used for worship and market-rate cooperative or condominium buildings.
Landmark Status: The property must be an individually designated New York City landmark, listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or a contributing component of a City or National Register Historic District.
Eligible Owner-Occupants: The owner-occupant must be a private, nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status under 501© of the Internal Revenue Code. Nonprofits with long-term net leases are also eligible. Public and quasi-public owners are not eligible for grants.
Finding of Need: The applicant must be able to demonstrate a financial need for a grant. The Conservancy administers low-interest loan programs that may be more appropriate to finance the proposed work.
