Carter P. Brown Legacy Preservation Fund Grant Program

Mission: Preserve and restore historic buildings and grounds within the Castle Park Reserve and promote the conservation and protection of wildlife habitat and environmentally-sensitive "back dunes" of the surrounding area.

Geographic Scope

• Castle Park Reserve area (Michigan)
• Serves residents, visitors, and the general public

Focus Areas

• Historic building preservation and restoration
• Environmental conservation of back-dune forest areas and wildlife habitat
• Capital improvements to historic structures
• Protection of environmentally sensitive ecosystems adjacent to Lake Michigan shores

Eligibility

• Projects must be consistent with the Fund's mission
• Projects must provide long-term benefit to the public, including visitors and residents
• Projects must be in the nature of capital improvements rather than annual operating expenses
• The Castle Park Association may apply to assist with historic or preservation needs

What They Fund (Examples)

• Historic building roof restoration and replacement (cedar shake shingles)
• Land restoration and acquisition for preservation purposes
• Environmental conservation projects
• Restoration of historic landmarks and structures

What They Don't Fund

• Annual operating expenses
• Work already completed (retroactive funding generally not approved)

Organization Type

• Status: Nonprofit corporation, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
• Independence: Independent of the Castle Park Association
• Funding Source: Charitable contributions and private giving only

Contact Information

• General Inquiries: Bob Burton (carterbrownfund.org email format)
• Mailing Address: c/o Bob Burton, 6660 Audubon, Holland MI 49423

Board Members

• Richard Muzzy Jr.
• Mark Fuller
• Bob Burton
• Stephanie Keehn
• Steve Nobel
• Sarah Conant Tonucci

Important Notes

• Non-Confidentiality: The IRS requires the Fund to publish a list of its grants. The Fund may provide general descriptions of grants on its website, marketing materials, and press releases. All applicants are assumed to have agreed to this requirement.
• Grants might not cover the total cost of the proposed project
• The Fund encourages collaborative effort where the applicant is involved in project development and responsible for scope and completion

Grant Application Process

Submission Timeline:

• Submit grant proposal at least 30 days prior to the proposed work being commenced

Application Steps:

1. Complete the Grant Proposal Form (available on the website)
2. Answer all questions in the Grant Proposal form
3. Submit to the Fund for review

Review Process:

• Fund reviews the grant request
• Review is not a commitment by the Fund
• Review is a necessary step to approving a grant for funding

Required Information:
Applicants must demonstrate how their project meets the funding criteria:

1. Is consistent with the Fund's mission
2. Provides a long-term benefit to the public, including visitors and residents
3. Is in the nature of a capital improvement rather than an annual operating expense

Important Considerations:

• Grants might not cover the total cost of the proposed project
• Grants might not be approved for work already completed
• The Fund encourages collaborative effort where the applicant is involved in project development and responsible for scope of work and successful completion
• All applicants must agree to non-confidentiality requirements (IRS publication of grants and Fund's right to describe grants in materials)