COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

PRESERVATION LEAGUE OF NEW YORK STATE
ALBANY, NY · EIN 237379938 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A800 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · preservenys.org
revenue
$1.6M
expenses
$1.6M
net assets
$8.9M
employees
9
volunteers
62
program ratio
60%
mission · from form 990

PROMOTING HISTORIC PRESERVATION AS A TOOL TO REVITALIZE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES, HONOR OUR HERITAGE AND ENRICH OUR LIVES.

profile · synthesized from sources

Advocacy organization promoting historic preservation across New York State as a means to revitalize communities, honor heritage, and address challenges like climate change and equitable development. Founded in 1974, the League supports preservation efforts through policy advocacy, technical assistance, public education, and grantmaking. It operates statewide, focusing on endangered historic sites, underrepresented histories, and sustainable reuse of historic buildings.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards
Annual awards recognizing outstanding restoration projects, publications, and leadership in historic preservation
Gratz Fund Grants
Annual grants from the Donald Stephen Gratz Preservation Services Fund supporting specific preservation projects across the state
Preservation Colleagues Program
Networking, training, and advocacy support for frontline preservationists and organizations across the state
Preservation Opportunity Fund
Grant program providing capital funding to nonprofits for preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of historic properties
Seven to Save
Biennial list highlighting seven endangered historic sites across New York State to mobilize public and technical support for their preservation
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Historic Site Designation Advocacy 2 activities
    • Advocating for public policies that support historic preservation
      Engages in ongoing advocacy at local, state, and national levels to advance preservation policy, including expansion of the New York State Historic Tax Credit, full funding for the Environmental Protection Fund and historic preservation programs, integration of preservation into climate strategies, and increased listings in the National Register of Historic Places.
    • Providing targeted advocacy and technical assistance to threatened historic sites
      Operates the biennial Seven to Save program, which identifies seven endangered historic sites across New York State and provides them with focused advocacy, technical support, and public visibility to prevent demolition and promote sustainable reuse.
  • Local History Preservation and Education 2 activities
    • Building capacity of local preservation groups and professionals
      Strengthens local preservation efforts through training, networking, and resource-sharing via the Preservation Colleagues program, workshops, seminars, and a digital directory of preservation professionals across New York State.
    • Developing permanent heritage centers and preserving Underground Railroad history
      Is developing the 227 Abolitionist Place Heritage Center as a permanent storytelling and educational site dedicated to the Underground Railroad and abolitionist history, while providing leadership in preserving historically significant related sites like 227 Duffield Street in Brooklyn.
  • Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
    • Delivering public education and engagement through tours, events, and site-based programming
      Offers curated cultural tours in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, immersive walking tours, book club events at historic sites, an annual architecture festival in Newburgh, and community-centered programming focused on Black liberation history at 227 Duffield Street in Brooklyn.
  • Historic Preservation Support Grants 1 activity
    • Funding historic preservation projects through multiple grant programs
      Provides financial support for the restoration, rehabilitation, and preservation of historic properties across New York State through several grant initiatives, including the Donald Stephen Gratz Preservation Services Fund, the Preservation Opportunity Fund, Preserve NY Arts + Culture grants, and small-scale pre-construction study grants up to $7,500 and comprehensive planning grants up to $20,000.
  • Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
    • Leading preservation and restoration of specific historic sites
      Directly undertakes or supports physical restoration and adaptive reuse of significant historic properties, including the Eagle Island Camp complex, the Miller-Conkling-Kernan Residence, the Seneca Knitting Mill, and the United Order of Tents headquarters in Brooklyn.
  • Professional Excellence Awards Programs 1 activity
    • Recognizing excellence in historic preservation through awards programs
      Administers annual awards programs—including the Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards and the Pillar of New York Awards—to recognize outstanding achievements in preservation by individuals, organizations, and projects across New York State, with public ceremonies and jury-led selection processes.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.55M
Contributions & grants$1.40M90%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$151K10%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.55M
Program expenses60%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising24%
Salaries & benefits$648K
Grants paid out$353K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$8.96M
Cash$2.41M
Investments$5.54M
Liabilities$54K
Net assets$8.90M
Liquid reserves61.4 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -38.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JAY DILORENZO PRESIDENT 40 $156K
board members · 18
  • ANDREW CAPITMAN — TRUSTEE
  • ANGEL AYON — VICE CHAIR
  • ANNE HOLFORD-SMITH — VICE CHAIR
  • BENJAMIN Q DAVIDSON — TRUSTEE
  • CAROLINE PASION — VICE CHAIR
  • DAVID STUTZMAN — TREASURER
  • E FRITS ABELL — TRUSTEE
  • ESPERANZA LEON — TRUSTEE
  • KATE WOOD — TRUSTEE
  • LIZ MCENANEY — VICE CHAIR
  • MELISSA MCCORMACK — TRUSTEE
  • PATRICK CICCONE — CHAIR
  • PHILLIP G BORRELLI — TRUSTEE
  • RUTH PIERPONT — SECRETARY
  • SHELLEY WORRELL — TRUSTEE
  • STEPHEN WILDER — TRUSTEE
  • THOMAS JAYNE — TRUSTEE
  • WILLIAM HURST — TRUSTEE
relationships · 46

Who they work with

  • Adirondack Architectural Heritage Partner — Collaborating preservation organization whose executive director provided a statement on the Eagle Island project.
  • Albany County Historical Association Partner — Recognized the Preservation League with an award at its "Raise the Roof" Gala in November 2024 for contributions to preserving New York State's history and culture.
  • CJS Architects Partner — Provided architecture and project coordination services for the restoration and adaptive reuse of the Seneca Knitting Mill.
  • Clinton Brown Company Partner — Served as historic consultant for the Seneca Knitting Mill rehabilitation project.
  • Eagle Island Inc Partner — Collaborates with the Preservation League to host public events such as the Women's Reading Retreat Weekend at Eagle Island.
  • Eagle Island Inc Partner — Partner organization that led the restoration of Eagle Island Camp, recognized by the Preservation League of New York State.
  • Fisher Associates Partner — Provided civil engineering and landscape architecture services for the Seneca Knitting Mill rehabilitation project.
  • Franklin County Government Government — Local government entity involved in economic development and tourism, represented by a director who commented on the cultural and economic impact of the preservation project.
  • Friends of Abolitionist Place Partner — Collaborates with the Preservation League of New York State in recognizing and supporting community-based historic preservation efforts.
  • Friends of Abolitionist Place Partner — Recognized through the Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards for its advocacy and preservation work at 227 Abolitionist Place in Brooklyn.
  • Gilbane Building Company Partner — Served as construction manager for the Seneca Knitting Mill rehabilitation project.
  • Historic Albany Foundation Partner — Collaborates with the Preservation League by sharing archival materials and historical research, including on the League's headquarters building.
  • Historic Albany Foundation Partner — Recognized through the Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards for its restoration of the Van Ostrande-Radliff House.
  • Historic Districts Council Partner — Organization with which a Preservation League board member is actively involved in neighborhood-scale preservation advocacy.
  • Historic Hotels of America® Partner — Partnership to offer discounts on stays at historic hotels.
  • Historic Saranac Lake Partner — Recognized through the Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards for its rehabilitation of the Trudeau Building.
  • JFK&M Consulting Group Partner — Provided MEP/FP engineering services for the Seneca Knitting Mill rehabilitation project.
  • James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation Funder — Grant-making foundation of which a Preservation League board member is a trustee.
  • Jensen/BRV Engineering Partner — Provided structural engineering services for the Seneca Knitting Mill rehabilitation project.
  • Landmark Society of Western NY Partner — Collaborates with the Preservation League of NYS in recognizing excellence in historic preservation; its executive director commented on the significance of the National Women's Hall of Fame project.
  • Landmarks Society of Greater Utica Partner — Recipient of the 2023 Donald Stephen Gratz Preservation Services Fund grant for restoration work on a National Historic Landmark in Utica.
  • Lefferts Historic House in Prospect Park Partner — Partner organization whose director has publicly supported the preservation work of Friends of Abolitionist Place.
  • Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Government — Provides additional support for Preserve NY Arts + Culture projects in the Hudson River Valley Greenway
  • NYC LGBTQ Historic Sites Project Partner — Honored at the Pillar of New York Awards Gala for leadership in preservation.
  • NYC LGBTQ Historic Sites Project Partner — Honored with a 2026 Pillar of New York Award for leadership in preserving LGBTQ historic sites.
  • NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Government — Government agency where a Preservation League trustee serves as a Commissioner.
  • NYS Council on the Arts Government — State agency whose funding the organization advocates to support.
  • National Women's Hall of Fame Partner — Recognized through the Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards for the adaptive reuse of the Seneca Knitting Mill.
  • New York State Council on the Arts Partner — Convened preservationists in 1973 that led to the formation of the Preservation League of New York State.
  • New York State Council on the Arts Partner — Regranting partner for the Preserve NY Arts + Culture program
+ 16 more
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Driven and Equity-Centered Preservation
    methodology: community-driven_preservation
    By centering local communities and underrepresented histories in preservation advocacy and planning, we increase relevance and equity in outcomes because grassroots leadership ensures cultural authenticity, fosters stewardship, and corrects historical omissions in the built environment.
  • Historic Preservation as Community Revitalization
    methodology: preservation_for_community_revitalization
    By leveraging historic preservation and adaptive reuse, we stimulate neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and community distinctiveness because preserving existing structures strengthens social fabric, reduces environmental impact, and supports sustainable growth.
  • Integrated Sustainability and Climate Resilience
    methodology: preservation_climate_integration
    By integrating historic preservation with sustainable building practices and climate policy, we reduce environmental harm and enhance resilience because retaining and upgrading existing buildings conserves resources, lowers emissions from demolition, and supports energy-efficient urban development.