Landmarks Illinois Announces New WWI Monument Preservation Grant Program
March 21, 2017
Landmarks Illinois, a membership-based nonprofit advocating for the protection of historic and architecturally significant properties throughout the state, today announced a new grant program to provide monetary assistance to preserve World War I outdoor monuments and memorials within the state of Illinois. Launched in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War I on April 6, the Landmarks Illinois World War I Monument Preservation Grant Program will provide financial resources to WWI outdoor monuments and memorials in Illinois in need of restoration to recover their dedication-era quality and appearance.
“The Landmarks Illinois World War I Monument Preservation Grant Program provides critical funding for aging historical markers that pay homage to local heroes who served in the Great War,” said Bonnie McDonald, President and CEO of Landmarks Illinois. “Often called ‘The Forgotten War,’ we cannot stand by and let these landmarks to our veterans go unnoticed.”
Nonprofits and government agencies are encouraged to apply to the Landmarks Illinois World War I Monument Preservation Grant Program to help fund their WWI monument restoration projects. Eligible scopes of work include monument/memorial cleaning, repointing and stabilization, replacement of missing elements, monument/memorial relocation or general repair work. For full eligibility rules and additional guidelines for grant applicants, visit our Landmarks Illinois Grants webpage.
The Landmarks Illinois WWI Monument Preservation Grant Program is made possible with generous support from the Pritzker Military Foundation.
“The board and staff of the Pritzker Military Foundation were very pleased to fund this innovative program that makes it possible for communities across Illinois to recognize the contributions made by U.S. soldiers and sailors in WWI,” said Brad Ballast, Executive Director of the Pritzker Military Foundation. “Many WWI monuments around Illinois are nearing 100 years old and in need of significant restoration. Now is the time to act.”
The Landmarks Illinois WWI Monument Preservation Grant Program will consist of four rounds of grant funding through 2017 and 2018. Grant applications for the first round of funding are due May 15, 2017. Applications will be evaluated by Landmarks Illinois staff on the condition of the subject resource, the submitted scope of work and the inherit ability of the applicant to execute the proposed project. Grant awardees for the first round of the program will be announced at the end of June 2017. Grants range from $500-$5,000. The size of the grant will be determined by the need of eligible application and will be awarded on a matching basis. A match may be a direct dollar amount or, using volunteer labor or services, equal the value of the grant.
WWI monument and memorials included in Landmarks Illinois WWI Monument Preservation Grant Program applications will be added to Landmarks Illinois’ ongoing statewide WWI monument survey. Since January 2017, Landmarks Illinois has also been conducting a statewide survey of outdoor WWI monuments and memorials to better understand the volume of monuments as well as their current condition throughout the state. If you know of a monument or memorial in your community, email Landmarks Illinois Director of Grants and Easements Suzanne Germann at sgermann@landmarks.org. Visit www.Landmarks.org/ww1-monument-survey for more information.
About Landmarks Illinois
Landmarks Illinois is a membership-based nonprofit organization serving the people of Illinois. We inspire and empower stakeholders to save places that matter to them by providing free guidance, practical and financial resources and access to strategic partnerships. For more information, visit www.Landmarks.org.
(Pictured above: The WWI memorial “Peace Triumphant” located in Oak Park, Illinois. Credit: Village of Oak Park)