In evaluation we often look at our past to plan for our future. This feeds into a real passion of mine - history. I love reading about it and I love visiting the sites where historical events took place. I also have a great appreciation for old buildings and for unique architecture displaying styles from our past. One of my former volunteer gigs was as a gangster tour guide for the historic Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul. I would be sad to see places such as that old courthouse be neglected or fall to ruins.

This week’s pick is from the Worldwide Grant Program of Tourism Cares which is a non-profit organization supported by the tourism industry. The goal of Tourism Cares is to “serve to protect, restore, or conserve sites of exceptional cultural, historic, or natural significance; or the education of local host communities and the traveling public about conservation and preservation of sites of exceptional cultural, historical, or natural significance.”

The application process starts through a Letter of Inquiry which must be received by June 1st, 2007 or October 1st to be considered for funding in 2007. Nonprofits can receive grants of up to $100,000 based on merit and availability of funds.