President Obama's proposed FY 2011 budget would eliminate funding for Save America's Treasures (SAT) and Preserve America (PA), and cut funding for National Heritage Areas by 50 percent.

These critical historic preservation programs matter now more than ever -- not only because they protect our national heritage but because they serve as economic development engines and job creators in the thousands of communities.

Save America's Treasures, the federal government's only bricks and mortar grant program, is one of the most successful tools we have for preserving the places that tell America's story.

• Almost $300 million has been allocated through the program generating an additional $377 million from other sources making it a model federal program that successfully leverages private dollars from corporations, foundations and individuals. It is estimated that the SAT program has added over 16,000 jobs to local and state economies.
• Since it’s establishment, SAT has funded significant projects to preserve Frank Lloyd Wright’s Florida Southern College, Park Inn Hotel, and Unity Temple, as well as the Manitoga, NY home of designer Russell Wright.

The Preserve America program recognizes communities that protect, celebrate, and promote their history through heritage tourism and community revitalization efforts.

• Since its inception in 2003, over 800 communities have been designated in the United States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

These programs need your voice. Act now and email your Senators and Representative asking them to restore the SAT and Preserve America grant funds. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has an easy online form you can use to send your message. While they have a standard message, we encourage you to personalize your message and add any positive impacts you know based on your first-hand knowledge of these two grant programs. Once you complete your personalized letter, you will be linked to your representative and senators email addresses based on your zip code. Please also send this message to your friends and colleagues to ensure they are aware of the situation and ask them to send a message as well. If you would like more information and updates on saving historic preservation funding go to the National Trust's webpage Save Preservation Funding.

Please take action today!