[MassHistPres] Quonset Hut / Funding

[Aaron Marcavitch]

Hi Matt,

Let me see if I can help a bit.

So A) you can't use Community Preservation Act money.  And B) you can't access funding from the RI end of the grants.  That means you are limited to the national level funding programs.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation preservation grant programs close on February 1, I believe.  The 1772 Foundation was another option.  I dont know if there are museum "Object" type grants out there, but a call to the American Association for Museum's would answer that question.

Ok, so lets say you have no time for grants and just need to get it moved.  Here is what we do out here for house moves. 

1. Owner calls organization, offers to donate house.
2. Our organization evaluates the ability to move, the suitability for a move.

3. Organization asks owner to obtain an appraisal.  (Non profits cannot establish the VALUE of the object being donated.  They simply provide the vehicle for the donation.)

4. If the owner feels as though they are getting a benefit from the donation (lets say that the building is worth $10,000), then the conversation continues. We often discuss additional donations - largly similar to the price of the move, plus other costs.  We start a bit higher, and let the process work us down.  And yes, that is tax-deductible.  (As we say here, there is generous and then there is stupid.  We want to be supportive of the generousity, but not stupid about accepting something that will drain our bank accounts.)

5. Then we get creative on the rest of the funding.  Fortunately we can use CPA funding.  However, you are going to need to get creative in another way.  If you already have a mover who is willing to do the work, can you work out a payment schedule with them?  How about working with a bank to figure out a loan amount and if you can get things deferred until fundraising or grant writing works out?  Interest only loan for one year?  (I'm trying to do this without the benefit of real numbers in front of me.   My assumption is that the move is somewhere in the neighborhood of $50,000.  You haven't told me what it would cost for any foundation work or if are looking to pay for the renovation as well.)

Again, YOU dont need to figure out how much the building is worth.  Thats the developer's job to call his appraiser and tax accountant.  If you want to be helpful and keep the proces moving, then offer some suggestions.  The other problem is that you are in a new tax year, so it may not be as lucrative.  

I can think of groups like the American Diner Museum who have moved buildings like this.  You need to think about this building as an OBJECT - not a building.  That might open up some ideas for you. 

I'd be glad to help explain how things work here if you need it.

Aaron
Housing Nantucket
508-228-4422

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http://www.marcavitch.com



> Also, someone suggested the developer should be convinced
> to donate the hut as a tax-deductible gift and then he could
> use the money to fund the move (which would also be
> tax-deductible).  However, no one, including the Seabee
> Museum, can figure out just how much this structure would be
> worth or how much of a tax deduction he would get.  Any
> ideas?
>