Philanthropy & Stewardship
Support The Fitch Foundation
Become a Friend of Fitch. Your contribution empowers visionary researchers, preserves vulnerable cultural sites, and educates the next generation of historic preservation stewards.
Considered the father of historic preservation education in the United States, James Marston Fitch (1909–2000) noticeably shaped the field of historic preservation from its nascent years as a discipline in the 1960s to the highly developed professional practice we know today.
Through his writings and teachings, he had a profound influence on those interested in creating, preserving, and chronicling the built environment. As Professor Fitch declared in his seminal text, American Building: The Environmental Forces That Shape It (Oxford University Press, 1999)
“The ultimate task of
architecture is to act in favor of human beings.”
At his core, James Marston Fitch was committed to training professionals to protect and curate our built environment, and to create the institutional support structures necessary to strengthen the field.
The Fitch Foundation continues to pursue that goal through direct financial support to practitioners pursuing innovative original research. Projects must address a demonstrated need and make a meaningful contribution to the field of historic preservation in the United States. Historic preservation is inherently a multidisciplinary endeavor which thrives on a diverse range of perspectives, methodologies, and approaches.
Beyond preservation itself, we support investigations rooted in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, environmental planning, architectural history, material science, and related fields of inquiry. As an incubator for preservation theory and practice, the Fitch Foundation seeks to push the field forward and demonstrate the ongoing relevance of preservation for our shared future.
Become a Friend of Fitch
The Fitch Foundation depends on your generous support to continue our fellowship grants and special initiatives. Please make a tax-deductible contribution and become a Friend of Fitch.
As a Friend, you will receive an invitation to our annual Grant Award Reception, as well as advance notices of symposia, research releases, and upcoming foundation programs.
Online Philanthropy
Make a Contribution
- All major credit cards accepted. A PayPal account is not required to complete a one-time gift.
- You will receive an automated email receipt from PayPal for tax deduction records.
Tax-Exempt Status
The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.