September 9, 2025
Landmarks Illinois Statement on its decision not to apply for the federal Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program
Last month, it became clear Landmarks Illinois could not, in good faith, apply to the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program administered by the National Park Service. Newly restrictive requirements imposed under the Trump Administration, which force applicants to comply with and affirm directives that distort American history, made applying incompatible with our mission, vision, values and guiding principles. As a result of the administration’s ongoing repressive and authoritarian-like actions, we were forced to pass up this significant opportunity to provide vital resources to communities across the state.
The Paul Bruhn grant program awards funding to organizations to provide subgrants that foster community and economic development through the rehabilitation of historic buildings. Landmarks Illinois planned to apply for $750,000 from the grant program to do just that: Administer a new program that would award individual grants to rural and small-town communities across Illinois in critical need of preservation resources.
In August, Landmarks Illinois’ staff determined that we could not comply with the new application requirements of this federal grant program. Amid preparing our application, it came to our attention that the Trump Administration added grant pre-qualifications requiring compliance with “all currently effective and applicable executive orders,” emphasizing those that require regressive and incomplete versions of American history and dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The application requirements also stated, “Applicants are responsible for ensuring their proposed activities are consistent with the intent and requirements of these directives.”
Landmarks Illinois has been a vocal opponent of the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle federal preservation programs and erase honest narratives of our nation’s history. We view these executive orders as regressive and unconscionable. They perpetuate harm to the Illinois communities we serve. We cannot certify our compliance with orders that are incompatible with our mission, values and principles.
We are distraught we could not pursue funding through the Paul Bruhn grant. The decision not to apply was a difficult but necessary one. As a 54-year-old organization with multiple successful and long-running grant programs, Landmarks Illinois is aware of the transformative impact this federal funding could have had for our constituents. Still, we recognize the ongoing need for preservation resources in Illinois’ rural and small-town communities. Landmarks Illinois will remain steadfast in our commitment to telling the full, honest story of our shared history while exploring other resources and avenues of funding to support our partners statewide.
To provide Landmarks Illinois with financial resources to replace the Paul Bruhn grant and support our rural and small-town funding initiatives, please get in touch with me, Bonnie McDonald, Landmarks Illinois President and CEO, at bmcdonald@landmarks.org.
Sincerely,
Bonnie McDonald
President & CEO
Landmarks Illinois