Advocating
The Vernacular Architecture Forum encourages and supports citizen efforts to protect our vernacular built heritage. The protection and preservation of our vernacular built heritage depends on good stewardship by property owners supported by sound government land use policies. However, the long-term preservation of our cultural heritage is rarely achieved without the support of a well informed, involved citizenry.
Fortunately, there is a broad network of organizations advocating for historic preservation and offering assistance to individuals and organizations seeking to protect cultural heritage resources.
Below are links to websites that offer information and advice to help you in your own advocacy efforts.
National Historic Preservation Not-for-Profits
The National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America's communities. The National Trust and its partners advocate for public policies that benefit historic preservation by:
- passing legislation and implementing policies that preserve the historic and cultural fabric of our nation's communities;
- protecting historic and cultural resources from inappropriate legislation, regulatory rulings, or court decisions that hinder preservation;
- preserving community input in the policy-making process; and,
- researching and documenting best practices and model preservation policies.
National Trust Advocacy Center
The Heritage Canada Foundation is a national, membership-based organization and registered charity established in 1973. Its mandate is to preserve and demonstrate and to encourage the preservation and demonstration of the nationally significant historic, architectural, natural and scenic heritage of Canada with a view to stimulating and promoting the interest of the people of Canada in that heritage.
Heritage Canada Foundation-Advocacy Action
Preservation Action is a 501c4 nonprofit organization created in 1974 to serve as the national grassroots lobby for historic preservation. Preservation Action seeks to make historic preservation a national priority by advocating to all branches of the federal government for sound preservation policy and programs through a grassroots constituency empowered with information and training and through direct contact with elected representatives.
Preservation Action-1-2-3 Guide to Lobbying on Capitol Hill and at Home
American Institute of Architects Historic Resources Committee
The mission of the Historic Resources Committee (HRC) is to identify, understand, and preserve architectural heritage, both nationally and internationally. HRC is engaged in promoting the role of the historic architect within the profession through the development of information and knowledge among members, allied professional organizations, and the public.
Recent Past Preservation Network
Promoting preservation, education, and advocacy to encourage a contextual understanding of our modern built environment.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation
The Cultural Landscape Foundation is the only not-for-profit foundation in America dedicated to increasing the public’s awareness of the importance and irreplaceable legacy of cultural landscapes. Through education, technical assistance, and outreach, the Cultural Landscape Foundation broadens the support and understanding for cultural landscapes nationwide in hopes of saving our priceless heritage for future generations.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation-Landslides
National Historic Preservation Government Entities
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
The mission of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is to promote the preservation, enhancement, and productive use of our nation's historic resources, and advise the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy.
Advisory Council-National Historic Preservation Program
Advisory Council-Federal, State, and Tribal Preservation Offices
Advisory Council-Using Section 106
Advisory Guide-Citizens’ Guide to Section 106
Parks Canada-Cultural Heritage
Canada’s Historic Places-Get Involved
Canada Cultural Heritage Initiative
The Historic Places Initiative is a collaboration involving all levels of government - local, provincial, territorial and federal. Together, we have created the tools to enable Canadians to learn about, value, enjoy and conserve our country's historic places.
National Not-for-Profit Organizations-Advocacy Related
Independent Sector
Independent Sector is the leadership forum for charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs committed to advancing the common good in America and around the world.
NPAction
NPAction is an online resource that provides tools and information for nonprofit advocacy.
The Public Policy Institute
PPI empowers activists through advanced policy analysis and skill-building sessions focused on messaging, campaign planning, organizing grassroots constituencies, building nontraditional coalitions and using earned and paid media strategies.
Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest
Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI) promotes, supports and protects 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy and lobbying in order to strengthen participation in our democratic society and advance charitable missions.
American Alliance of Museums-Advocacy Resources
AAM’s mission is to enhance the value of museums to their communities through leadership, advocacy, and service.
National Humanities Alliance Sourcebook
The National Humanities Alliance (NHA) is an advocacy coalition dedicated to the advancement of humanities education, research, preservation, and public programs.
Bolder Advocacy
http://bolderadvocacy.org/
An initiative of the Alliance for Justice, Bolder Advocacy is a national association of environmental, civil rights, mental health, women's, children’s, and consumer advocacy organizations. Since its inception in 1979, AFJ has worked to advance the cause of justice for all Americans, strengthen the public interest community's ability to influence public policy, and foster the next generation of advocates.
State and Local Historic Preservation Organizations
Historic Seattle
Historic Seattle is the only nonprofit membership organization dedicated to preserving Seattle and King County's architectural legacy. Our mission is to educate, advocate and preserve.
Historic Seattle -Successful Historic Preservation Advocacy
Maryland Citizens for the Arts
Maryland Citizens for the Arts-Advocacy 101: The Citizens' Guide to Advocacy
Preservation Massachusetts
Preservation Massachusetts is the statewide non-profit organization that actively promotes the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes as a positive force for economic development and the retention of community character.
Preservation Massachusetts-Preserving Historic Religious Properties
Responding to a Preservation Crisis-Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation