Georgia Trust for Historic

“Prior to filing, an electronic copy of the form 990 is circulated to the organization's executive committee, finance committee, and chief executive officer for review and approval. Per the organization's bylaws, the executive committee of the board of trustees is authorized to exercise all the powers of the board of trustees, which would include review of the form 990.”

“The organization asks all board members to sign a conflict of interest policy annual statement describing if any relationships could contibute to a conflict of interest. Also, board members are asked about potential conflicts of interest each time a new project is taken on. Board members are not permitted to vote on any matter for which a conflict of interest exists.”

“The executive committee, consisting of members of the board of trustees, reviews, deliberates, and votes on the compensation of the president & ceo in executive session on an annual basis to ensure competitive and appropriate compensation is in place.”

“Appropriate governing documents are distributed to all board members. Selected financial data is included in a widely distributed annual report. In addition, all governing documents are available upon request.”

“The trust operates a revolving fund used to purchase, stabilize, and/or rehabilitate, and then resell historic properties to preservation-minded buyers. In july 2024, the trust purchased the first national bank building in louisville, goergia. Efforts are underway to stabilize the structure by replacing the roof and investing in potential uses for the historic structure. To further the mission of protection, the organization places and administers eighty-two preservation easements on sites throughout the state of georgia which are vital for preserving historic properties and ensuring their future protection. The newest addition to the program is park street united methodist church in atlanta's west end. This gothic revival style building, now owned by clark atlanta university, houses its art and music departments. Annually, the trust publishes and promotes a list of historic sites threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, or inappropriate development called places in peril. The intention is to encourage owners to preserve these places. In 2024, the places in peril porgram achieved significant milestones. The lee street bridge project in americus was redesigned with gdot and local partners, preserving the historic calvary episcopal church and its district. Additionally, the endangered building at 229 auburn street in atlanta's sweet auburn district is set for redevelopment, with advocates striving to ensure its rehabilitiation to maintain the area's national significance. The trust awarded 110,000 in grants to fourteen historic sites and awarded two fellowships totaling 6,850 during this fiscal year. Projects include the exterior restoration of the desoto theatre in rome, revitalization of savannah gray brick at massie school, repairs to the fresh air home pavilion on tybee island and window restoration at the thomasville center for the arts. The georgia trust also presents preservation awards annually which recognize excellence in preservation, restoration, and stewardship. During the fiscal year, twenty-six awards were given including eleven for excellence in rehabilitation, two for excellence in stewardship, and two for excellence in restoration, among others. The trust continues to spearhead efforts to expand tax credit legislation. During the fiscal year, the georgia trust began the process to present a bill to the georgia legislature to increase the annual cap for commercial hrtc projects. In addition, an advocacy toolkit was developed to provide enhanced education for advocates of endangered historic sites. The toolkit includes techniques to identify historc sites, strategies for building support, how to engage with elected officials, undertanding designations, and funding opportunities. This resource promotes early advocacy to safeguard georgia's historic resources and prevents demolition and inappropriate development.”

“The georgia trust owns the hay house in macon, georgia and actively preserves and manages this museum house for public benefit. This site encourages an understanding of historic preservation and history by allowing visitors to tour the property and engage in site-based education. During the year, over 24,325 individuals toured the hay house property. Maintenance work undertaken during the fiscal year includes painting the clerestroy ceiling, music room, and entrance hall. New audio-visual materials for tours were introduced, along with exhibits showcasing the house's history, notably featuring chester davis, the family chauffeur, butler, and first docent. Additionally, hay house welcomed eight graders from bibb county schools in georgia and launched the 'inspired surroundings' art exhibit initiative. Rhodes hall, one of atlanta's few remaining peachtree street mansions, is the headquarters of the georgia trust and continues to servce as a historic landmark, workplace, museum, and educational center. During this fiscal year, the georgia trust focused significant resources into maintaining the building, now a decade past its last major rehabilitation. The tower roof was replaced and the gables on the southern facade were repointed to address water infiltration. The trust has completed these critical restoration needs to ensure that rhodes hall remains a vibrant and stable historic resource for future generations. The georgia trust leases rhodes memorial hall from the state of georgia under a renewed, conditional operating agreement that began on september 12, 2011, and expires on june 30, 2060, for 10 per year. Conditions in the lease include operating the first floor of the house as a museum,exhibit and lecture hall facility, and other means of promoting the appreciation and preservation of the cultural heritage of georgia.”

“The organization encourages an understanding of historic preservation through its historic preservation institute and also through conferences, seminars, communications, and internships. During the fiscal year, 706 individuals attended twenty-three different class sessions, four workshops, and eleven tours offered on historic preservation. Topics included a grant application workshop, preserving black churches, and equitable preservation. The rambler, a quarterly magazine, stimulates interest, educates, and facilitates participation in historic preservation. The cover stories included in this fiscal year were historic places of play, architecture of the last colony, building on the past, and georgia's historic landscapes. In addition, the georgia trust published a book entitled architecture of the last colony which is sold by the georgia trust and the university of georgia press. This book joins the georgia trust's collection of publications which include the story of j. Neel reed, architect, written by william r. Mitchell, jr., a founding trustee of the georgia trust. Annually, georgia trust hosts group tours of historic sites in various regions of the state called rambles and expeditions. This year, the georgia trust hosted the spring ramble in athens and watkinsville and the fall ramble in americus. The rambles celebrate local history and preservation successes. The summer expedition to eatonton saw record-breaking attendance, highlighting community commitment to heritage tourism. These activities foster greater appreciation for local history while strengthening community ties and supportinglocal economies. The on-site experience allows the participants to learn about the sites experientially, as well as to gain a deeper understanding of preservation techniques and on-going preservation efforts.”

“Special event expenses 177,905 special event expenses -177,905”