The Victorian Alliance Grant Program

  • 1906 Earthquake Survivor -- Portals of the Past in Golden Gate Park
  • Victorian Style Drinking Fountains for People and Pets in Lafayette Park
  • Castro Theater -- Restoration of the Box Office Leaded Glass
  • Barbary Coast Trail--Victorian Alliance Plaque--Sacramento Street at Waverly Place

Since 1977, the Alliance has granted over $500,000 to worthy projects that preserve our heritage and enrich our lives. our Grants Program continues its mission to provide educational opportunities for members, the general public, to support the restoration and preservation of historic buildings, landscaping and artifacts, the Alliance established a Grants Program. These grants are made possible through the fundraising efforts of members who have enthusiastically organized bake sales, garage sales, garden tours, and house tours, and through the generous donations and bequests from members and friends of the Alliance.

What is the Program?

The Victorian Alliance Grants Program offers financial support for projects focusing on the restoration and preservation of historic buildings, landscapes, and artifacts located primarily in San Francisco. The Victorian Alliance has established a Preservation Fund, the income from which is used to help worthy projects. The Fund was created as a result of fundraising efforts by the membership through historic garden tours, historic house tours, and by the generous donations and bequests from members and friends of the Alliance. Since our founding, the Alliance has awarded grants totaling over $500,000.

What kinds of projects has the Alliance supported?

The following are some of the projects that the Alliance has supported since 1977. Many of our grants have been awarded in memory and in honor of members who have generously dedicated their time and talents to the success of The Victorian Alliance. Our grants support preservation throughout San Francisco, and this partial list includes well-known historic treasures:

  • Palace of Fine Arts: New lighting in 1991. Complete building restoration in 2011
  • Numerous Sites in San Francisco’s Beloved Parks and Park Buildings: The Restoration of the Windmills in Golden Gate Park, Period Chandeliers added to the Sharon and McLaren Lodges in Golden Gate Park, Geneva Car Barn restoration project to refurbish the historic car barn doors, Conservatory of Flowers restoration in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco Arts Commission for the seismic stabilization and restoration of the Portals of the Past in Golden Gate Park, The Victorian-style drinking fountains and their installation in Lafayette Park
  • Historic Cultural Organizations and Institutional Locations: The Mechanics Institute & Library, Grace Marchant Gardens Restoration on Telegraph Hill, Restoration of a stained glass window in the Henry Ohlhoff House, San Francisco Heritage re-upholstery of several pieces of furniture in Hass-Lilienthal house and Haas-Lilienthal House for its new roof, Barbary Coast Trail Plaque, Western Neighborhoods Project to restore windows in an Earthquake Cottage, Restoration of the floor and stage of the Julia Morgan Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, Restoration of the Victorian Garland Frieze at the SFLGBT Center at 1800 Market Street, Castro Theater to restore the leaded glass box office windows
  • Other Historic Organizations and Projects: Western Neighborhoods Project (OpenSFHistory) archive photographs donated by Judith Lynch, Ellinwood Textiles Archive, Alamo Square Neighborhood Association, San Francisco History Association, San Francisco Museum & Historical Society, American Decorative Arts Forum of Northern California to sponsor seven lectures on Victorian topics in the Forums lecture series, Project Turtle seven preservation books donated to the San Francisco Library History room on Victorian Alliance members’ homes with photographed exteriors & interiors including period lighting furniture and decorative arts.
  • Spiritual Centers: Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center stained glass window restoration,  San Francisco Zen center window restoration, St. Paul’s Church-Noe Valley stained glass window restoration in Sacristy, Restoration of the stained glass window in Mission Presbyterian Church, Restoration of the Front Doors of the Shrine of St. Francis, Macedonia Baptist Church Restoration, Restoration of a stained glass window in St. John's Presbyterian Church, Congregation Sherith Israel for the Restoration of a stained glass window, Exterior painting of St. Charles School on 18th Street in the Mission, St. James Catholic Church steeple repair, Restoration of the stained glass windows in the Russian Old Cathedral of the Holy Virgin

Who is eligible to apply for a Grant?

Grant applications are available for publicly accessible projects located primarily in San Francisco. Second preference is given to projects within other Bay Area counties. Grants are not available to individuals to support their private property or interests.

What kinds of projects are eligible?

Among other criteria, preference is given to projects that ask for specific support, such as the restoration of a stained glass window, rather than general contributions. Preference is given to physical preservation/restoration projects over academic endeavors.

What amounts of money may be awarded?

The grants are typically for amounts up to $5000.

When are Grants awarded?

Grants are awarded twice a year after a Grants Committee, consisting of officers and members, reviews applications and makes a recommendation to the General Membership to accept a request, and thereby fund all or part of it, or reject it outright. The deadlines for submitting applications are February 28 and August 31.

What is the application process?

The application form PDF is available here on our website and further information is available by calling the President of the Alliance at vapresident@victorianalliance.org or (415) 824-2666. The application form gives full details about the application process, deadlines, and the criteria the Grants Committee uses for awarding grants. The form and the process are not complicated and we are happy to answer any questions about the program.

Does The Victorian Alliance accept funds for distribution through The Grants Program?

Yes. It is often difficult for individuals to know which preservation projects need funding or how best to evaluate the merits of each. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, The Alliance can accept gifts of any denomination for distribution through our Grants Program. For further information, please contact the President of the Alliance at vapresident@victorianalliance.org.