The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation

The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation, Inc., was established in 1988 to recognize the unique contribution of Dr. James Marston Fitch to the field of historic preservation in the United States. Its purpose is to advance the study and the practice of the preservation of the historic architectural heritage of the United States. The Foundation supports preservation through a research grant program as well as through such educational activities as publications, seminars, and lectures.

James Marston Fitch, educator, author, critic and design practitioner, was a pioneer and a catalyst in the preservation field for more than five decades. Professor Fitch advanced the field of preservation through his writing, teaching, and architectural practice. He made a major contribution to the philosophical basis of the modern preservation movement and trained and inspired generations of preservationists.

The Foundation will award up to a $25,000 research grant to mid-career professionals who have an advanced or professional degree and at least ten years experience in historic preservation or related fields, including architecture, landscape architecture, architectural conservation, urban design, environmental planning, archaeology, architectural history, and the decorative arts. Other, smaller grants, up to $10,000, are made at the discretion of the trustees

Please visit our grant information website for application requirements.  The grants are intended to support projects of innovative original research or creative design that advance the practice of historic preservation in the United States. These grants are partially made possible in part through the generosity of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation.

The Foundation will also grant the Richard Blinder Award, a bi-annual award for the best proposal exploring the preservation of an existing structure, complex of buildings, or genre of building type through addition, renovation or other means for use for a cultural purpose.  Please visit the Richard Blinder Award application website for application requirements.

The postmark deadline for all applications is September 19, 2008. Applications may be obtained from this web site. Please email us or call using the phone number listed to the left with any questions.