About Advocacy

The Advocacy Fund

Even though there has been a significant decline in real estate development, many historic resources are still being threatened with demolition and our resources to respond to these challenges are limited.

The Alliance's advocacy efforts take two forms: first is the difficult task of confronting and challenging development proposals that require the demolition of a historic property or affect a historic neighborhood. This type of advocacy often requires us to obtain legal assistance and representation in court appeals, and it may also require us to retain expert witnesses to testify. 

Second is "pro-active advocacy" -- obtaining legal protection for historic properties, accepting easements or simply negotiating with developers in advance to avoid problems -- which involves writing nominations for historic designation or similar activities.

In both areas, the Alliance's advocacy efforts have been very effective. You can keep up-to-date on our advocacy work here.

Although we have very good support from foundations for preservation programs, funds for advocacy are the most difficult to raise. To be sure we have sufficient funds to undertake appeals, create nominations and retain expert advice for the remainder of the year, we have created the Advocacy Fund. Won't you consider making your tax deductible contribution to the Advocacy Fund today?

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The Preservation Alliance is the primary advocacy organization for historic preservation in Philadelphia and the only historic preservation organization in the Philadelphia area with a regional perspective. In addition to taking the lead advocacy role for historic preservation in Philadelphia, the Alliance works cooperatively with preservation organizations in Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties; with Preservation Pennsylvania; and with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Alliance is the Local Partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Advocacy is both an area of concentration and a component of all of the Alliance’s work. Advocacy programs and services include the following:

• Review and comment on proposals for alteration or demolition of historic properties in Philadelphia through regular monitoring of items presented to the Philadelphia Historical Commission and testimony at Commission meetings.
• Advocacy on such public policy issues as creation of new state tax incentives for historic preservation, creation of conservation districts in Philadelphia, and review of proposed changes to the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance.
• Creation of on-line petitions and letter writing or email campaigns on critical local and state preservation issues.
• Publication of newspaper articles on historic preservation as well as letters to the editor and interviews with news media.
• Appeals, when appropriate, of decisions by the Philadelphia Historical Commission or other public agencies, and support of appeals filed by community organizations in Philadelphia and adjacent counties.
• Advice to private developers, community organizations, and individuals on the laws and procedures of historic preservation including designation of historic properties, creation of historic districts, financial resources for preservation projects, and procedures for alterations or demolition of historic properties.
• Nomination of historic properties for local designation and nomination of historic properties to the National Register.
• Creation of an annual Endangered Properties list to draw public attention to key historic sites in need of assistance.
• Presentation of annual awards for accomplishments in historic preservation in the Philadelphia region.
• Advice to members and the general public regarding historic property research, selection of contractors or other professional services, and sources of materials for historic property preservation.