The Revolving Fund Impact Report by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and its historic preservation department is the result of a year-long study of 20 of the nation’s revolving funds. Here, SCAD graduate students studying historic preservation analyzed the scope and methodology of these funds to find that their impact reaches beyond preservation to economic revitalization. This research was supported by the 1772 Foundation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The results were impressive. Statistics gathered from the 20 funds studied showed that since these funds began, nearly 5 million square feet of usable space has been saved and reactivated—generating more than $3 million in property tax revenue. The report confirms the revolving fund as an effective preservation tool but also validates it as a replicable, community revitalization strategy.

Check out the full report below (maximize to full screen for optimal viewing.)

The SCAD economic impact report also served as the basis for a documentary on revolving funds that premiered at PastForward, the National Preservation Conference in Savannah, Georgia, this past week. You can view the documentary below.

To access the entire Forum Journal you must be a member of Preservation Leadership Forum. In addition to the in-depth research provided in the quarterly journal, membership benefits also include discounts on conferences and training, analysis of current issues in Forum Focus, topic-specific Affinity Groups for exchange with other preservationists, and much more.