MANITOGA AWARDED LARGEST GRANT IN ITS HISTORY BY FEDERAL "SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES." URGENT NEED FOR DIRECTED CONTRIBUTIONS TO MATCH OUR $250,000 AWARD
We are thrilled to report a significant achievement in the history of Manitoga as a non-profit organization: the awarding of a major grant from the Save America's Treasures Historic Preservation Fund to Preserve Nationally Significant Intellectual and Cultural Activities and Historic Structures and Sites. This grant, if matched, will enable Manitoga to at long last complete the "time is of the essence" restoration of Dragon Rock house. "Securing matching donations for this large and prestigious grant will be our number one priority for 2006", said Manitoga Co-President Andrew Capitman. (See Co-President's letter). The Save Americas Treasures grant and matching donations will fund the replacement of the Dragon Rock roof with a state-of the-art green roof membrane as implemented at the Studio, the replacement of edge flashing, chimney and clerestory flashing, the replacement of plantings to match Wright's original design, and Ð of utmost importance Ð the repair of localized drainage at the house including replacing waterproofing material applied to the original masonry foundation wall on the north face of the house, installing a new gravel bed and piping with pitch to ensure that the drains draw water away from the building, and regarding the area closed to the house to direct waterways and restore to the original grade level. All of these facets of the "sealing of the envelope" of the house are crucial to the eventual restoration of the interior and the re-setting of the home in much the same manner as has been achieved in the Studio.
This grant was awarded in October, 2005 and must be completed by July 2007. Manitoga's proposal, prepared by Development Associate Vivian Linares and Executive Director Anita Pidala, was selected from over 337 applicants vying for a portion of $14.89 million in Save America's Treasures grants. Awards were made to 32 nationally significant historic properties and sites and 29 nationally significant artifacts, collections, documents and artistic works. A panel of experts representing preservation and conservation disciplines reviewed the applications and made final recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior. To be successful each application was judged to be "of national significance, demonstrate an urgent preservation need, make the case as to how they will address the threat, and demonstrate the likely availability of non-federal matching funds. The Save America's Treasures Fund is administered jointly by The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH), the National Park Service (NPS), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Of the $250,000 in matching funds we are challenged to find to take advantage of this superlative grant, administrative expenses of around $65,000 will come from our planned operating budget" noted Capitman. "Our strategy for securing the $185,000 balance is focused on foundations and our wealthiest supporters. We are hoping that Manitoga supporters who know directors and officers of private foundations which might accept applications for funding for Manitoga will let us know of their contacts. While the number of foundations supporting historic preservation is limited, the opportunity to leverage foundation money against federal funding is frequently perceived as an attractive use of charitable dollars. Please call the Manitoga office or any of our board members if you have any ideas."
Of course, along with the excitement which accompanies the awarding of a large grant, comes the reality, for a small organization such as Manitoga, of coming up with the necessary matching funds Ð no small challenge. Luckily, we are on our way, an assortment of directed gifts, in-kind contributions and other grants have aided our cause greatly. But we have a long, long way to go towards fulfilling the complete dollar amount. To that end we are appealing to our loyal friends and supporters to make a directed donation, specifically to help us match this grant. A simple letter expressing this sentiment, along with your contribution, will suffice. We will also have a separate, directed giving check box on our membership renewal drive which you will receive by April. Should you wish to receive any further information, please do not hesitate to contact our office.