FAQs

Questions About Buildings & Projects

Que:

• What types of buildings and projects are you buying and rehabbing?

Ans:

• We prioritize the projects for many different reasons but, our two main objectives are the following:

  • Which projects need saving the quickest, before they're completely destroyed beyond repair.

  • Which projects can we purchase that offer the most amount of features, amenities and benefits for our donors, sponsors and members and the general public. 

    • Examples: projects with hospitality, dining, entertainment, sports, recreation and leisure areas etc. 

• That being said, here is our general list:

  • Palaces, Castles, Chateaus, Mansions, Villas, Manors, Unique Homes etc

  • Hotels, Resorts, High-rises, Schools, Government Buildings, Military Forts, Missile Bases etc

  • Churches, Cathedrals, Monasteries, Seminaries, Convents etc

  • Theaters, Sports & Recreation Buildings, Entertainment Projects etc

  • And anything that is very special and unique that would fit our buying parameters.

• Please refer to our Home Page for a "general" listing of projects that we want to focus on (see the different slideshows) and our "Projects" page for specific information.

 

Que:

• How long will it take for The History Fund to rehab and restore a project?

Ans:

• For obvious reasons each project will be different but, that being said, our objective is to rehab and restore projects as fast as possible as long as our construction crew and artisans follow all safety and quality guidelines.

• We also have to be concerned with permits and the challenge of hiring and scheduling construction and artisan experts because of COVID.

• But don't forget, we can always implement more restoration and improvements at any project once we open it for business.

• We will have budgets for all projects and targeted time frames to complete them.

 

Que:

• Will the public be able to follow the progress of your restoration projects?

Ans:

• Absolutely! That's what makes this journey so much fun!

• Each project will have it's own separate page(s) on our website (and possibly on YouTube) which will not only review the history of the building but, it will highlight our progress including photos, videos, interviews etc.

• We'll also keep all donors, members and sponsors informed of our progress so they'll know when they can visit and enjoy the projects.

 

Que:

• Will The History Fund restore each project one-hundred percent back to it's original state?

Ans:

• That depends on many factors, including but not limited to:

  • How much funds we raise from donors, sponsors, members and VIP members

  • What condition the property is in that we've purchased for rehab and restoration.

  • And what our projected budget is and what our projected completion date is.

  • In the best of cases, we would love to restore each project one-hundred percent. In reality, that might not be possible... so we'll evaluate each project on it's own merits.

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Que:

• Does The History Fund "repurpose" projects at all?

Ans:

• Yes, "subject to" the zoning where each project is located and what we can work out with local governments globally.

• Examples:

  • We want to purchase abandoned schools globally and repurpose them into amenity-packed, semi-private locations that will offer hospitality services.

  • We want to purchase abandoned government buildings and do the same thing... repurpose them into amenity-packed, semi-private locations that will offer hospitality services.

  • The same thing with Churches, Cathedrals, large Theaters, large Hotels etc.

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Que:

• Can you share information on how you budget for purchasing a project, then rehabbing it and then managing it?

Ans:

• We would be happy to.

• In general, we budget for four "general" phases when looking at purchasing a project:

  • I. Preliminary Analysis Phase:

    • All the costs associated with making an offer to purchase; then a due diligence time frame (if the owner/seller accepts our offer), then appraisals from different experts, and then inspections by experts on the shape of the building and estimates on how much it would take to rehab and restore and how long it would take approximately.

  • II. Purchase Phase:

    • All the costs to purchase the building

  • III. Rehab Phase:

    • All the costs to rehab and restore the building

  • IV. Management Phase:

    • All the costs to offer the products and services that we've promised to our donors, sponsors and members.

    • All the costs for ongoing operations (ie: maintenance and repairs, taxes, labor, supplies etc.)

• Example:

  • To keep things simple, we'll use a project that has a purchase cost of $1 million.

  • We'll then budget for rehab and restoration of $1 million and we'll budget $1 million for ongoing operations (ie: maintenance, repairs, taxes, labor, supplies etc.) for one to two years after the project is finished and open for business.

  • So, in order to purchase the project, we'll need to budget at least $3 million (funds from donors, sponsors and members and in the bank) before we make the offer to purchase of $1 million.

  • We will also have projections of "gross and net income" for each building that we've bought and rehabbed (from planned visitors, sales of products and services etc) and we'll be able to use those funds for operations after the project is open for business, which will enable us to do more projects because each project will be self-supporting.

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Que:

• Can anyone submit a project to The History Fund?

Ans:

• Yes Please.

• We'll review almost any type of project so please feel free to submit it for our preliminary analysis.

• We need to stay very very organized so please use our "Project Submission Form" to send us information about any projects that you own and/or know about that might be a good match for our project rehabs.

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Que:

• Will The History Fund implement sustainable rehab practices at the projects it purchases and restores?

Ans:

• Most definitely!

• We have a wide variety of plans to incorporate sustainable products and services at all of our projects globally.

• This has numerous benefits:

  1. Reduces our burden on the local infrastructure at each project.

  2. Helps the environment in numerous ways.

  3. Helps us to reduce costs and improve profits, which we can use to purchase more buildings that need our help!

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Questions About Joining & Participating

Que:

• Who can be a "History Member?"

Ans:

• Any person, organization or company can be a History Member(1) as long as they meet the financial requirements for the different Memberships that we offer.

• As a thank-you for participating, History Members will receive a group of specific benefits for all of our projects globally (guidelines apply).

• Please refer to "Join &/or Donate" for more info

• (1) As long as they're not on the State Department's list of countries and/or people and/or companies that Americans can't do business with.

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Que:

• Who can be a "VIP History Member?"

Ans:

• Any person, organization or company can be a VIP History Member(1) as long as they meet the financial requirements for the different Memberships that we offer.

• VIP History Memberships are for each specific project and they are limited in number (aka how we many we offer).

• You must be a "History Member" first before you can apply for a "VIP History Membership."

• As a thank-you for participating, VIP History Members will receive a group of very special and unique benefits for specific projects, in addition to the global benefits by being a "History Member."

• Please refer to "Join &/or Donate" for more info

• (1) As long as they're not on the State Department's list of countries and/or people and/or companies that Americans can't do business with.

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Que:

• Who can be a "Sponsor?"

Ans:

• Any person, organization or company can be a Sponsor (1) as long as they meet the financial requirements for the different Sponsorship packages that we offer.

• Most sponsors will be organizations and/or companies because we offer marketing and advertising packages that are conducive to what their mission and objectives are.

  • Example: a sponsor would receive specific naming rights at one or more of our charity and/or fundraising events.

  • Example: a sponsor would receive specific naming rights on one or more of our hospitality suites and/or lounge rooms etc.

• A Sponsor must be a "History Member" first (at least a level #9 History Member) before they can apply for a "Sponsorship."

• Please refer to "Join &/or Donate" for more info

• (1) As long as they're not on the State Department's list of countries and/or people and/or companies that Americans can't do business with.

 

Que:

• Who can be a "Donor?"

Ans:

• Anyone in the world can donate (1) and they will receive specific benefits to enjoy our projects globally.

• Please keep in mind that our Memberships offer more overall benefits for those who want to help us accomplish our objectives and goals.

• Please refer to "Join &/or Donate" for more info

• (1) As long as they're not on the State Department's list of countries and/or people and/or companies that Americans can't do business with.

 

Que:

• What is the difference between a "History Membership" and a "VIP History Membership?"

Ans:

• Here is how we differentiate between the two:

  • History Memberships:

    • These are designed for those people and/or companies who want to help us by donating automatically every month for a minimum of twelve (12) months consecutively.

    • The packages are usually higher-priced than a one-time donation (although, anyone can make a one-time donation for any amount they desire).

    • The benefit packages are applicable at all of our projects globally (once we purchase and rehab them; an online reservation system is required).

    • And they receive a lot more benefits than one-time donors.

  • VIP History Memberships:

    • These memberships are designed for those people and/or companies who want to help the most by making a larger one-time VIP History Membership donation for a specific project that they would like to be associated with.

    • They will receive VIP benefits at the specific project that they're supporting.

    • In order to participate, they must purchase a History Membership first (at least Package #9), which will also give them benefits at all of our projects globally (once we purchase and rehab them; an online reservation system is required).

  • For more information, please see "Join &/or Donate"

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Que:

• What types of payments or credit cards do you use?

Ans:

• The safest and easiest way for all Members, Donors and Sponsors to work with us is by using a PayPal account, which also allows you to use major credit cards through PayPal.

 

Que:

• Are donations or Membership fees or Sponsor fees tax deductible?

Ans:

• For donations and Membership fees, The History Fund is not a tax exempt organization at this point in time.

  • In our opinion, you'll receive a lot more value from our benefits packages then you'll ever receive from having a tax write off.

• For any payments made for being a Sponsor, you'll have to check with your tax advisor regarding business expenses.

 

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Benefits For Donors, Members & Sponsors

 

Que:

• If I donate or become a Member or a Sponsor, do I get to visit and enjoy one or more projects that The History Fund has purchased and restored?

Ans:

• Of course, we want everyone that helps us to be able to visit and enjoy the projects that they've helped save... that's our Mission and Vision.

• But please note, we have different benefit packages for each group of supporters based on the amount of financial support they contribute (and we'll have an online reservation system to coordinate everything).

• It's very frustrating that we have to set up our benefit packages this way but, it's a fact of life that it takes a lot of money to purchase a project, then restore it and then manage it.

• We will say this... no matter what group you're in, once you review our benefit packages (go to "Join &/or Donate"), we believe you'll be very satisfied in helping us to save a building for future generations... and happy with what we're offering you.

 

Que:

• What can the discounts be applied to with the "History Memberships?"

Ans:

• We're glad you asked!

• All "History Members" will receive a Membership booklet with rules, regulations, guidelines, discount explanations etc.

• Here is a sampling:

  • Discounts on general parking and valet parking

  • Discounts on visitor passes

  • Discounts on concierge services

  • Discounts on specific events, parties, celebrations etc

  • Discounts on products

  • Discounts on hospitality services

  • Discounts on buffet-style dining

  • Discounts on spa and pool facilities

  • Discounts on golf and tennis venues

  • Discounts on additional sports, recreation and leisure facilities

  • Note: guidelines and restrictions apply; an online reservation system is required for most services. Each project will have a different set of amenities, which will be detailed on our website. The History Fund reserves the right to change the amenities at each project without notice.

 

Que:

• Can you describe the benefits at a specific project when someone wants to donate as a "VIP History Member?"

Ans:

• This is a little trickier than the discounts for the "History Memberships" because each project will be different in regards to the amenities onsite.

• The best way to describe it is this way:

  • Everything is VIP when you donate as a "VIP History Member" and your membership donation gives you VIP treatment to almost everything at the specific project that you've chosen (private events held by other members and/or the public are the exception).

• For example, VIP History Members receive the following at a specific project:

  • Complementary general parking and valet parking

  • Complementary access to the project

  • Complimentary concierge services

  • Generous discounts and priority reservations for specific onsite entertainment, events, parties, celebrations etc

  • Generous discounts on products

  • Generous discounts and priority reservations for hospitality services

  • Priority reservations for our onsite dining choices

  • Generous discounts on buffet-style dining

  • Generous discounts and priority reservations for our onsite spa and pool facilities

  • Generous discounts and priority reservations for our onsite golf and tennis venues

  • Generous discounts and priority reservations for all onsite sports, recreation and leisure facilities

  • Note: guidelines and restrictions apply; an online reservation system is required for most services. Each project will have a different set of amenities, which will be detailed on our website. The History Fund reserves the right to change and/or postpone and/or cancel any amenities at each project without notice.

 

Que:

• How does The History Fund coordinate all of the benefits for donors, sponsors and members?

Ans:

• We use a computer system to track and organize all donors, sponsors and members and we use an online reservation system to coordinate all visits and benefits for everyone. 

• We'll also issue unique Supporter Cards (ie: similar to American Express, Diner's Club Intl. etc) to make it easier to track all Supporters and the benefits they receive.

 

Que:

• Will any of your projects have hospitality services similar to AirBnB?

Ans:

• You can count on it!

• We believe that one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy a project that you've helped purchase and save is to be able to stay overnight and then experience all the unique amenities that a building and estate has to offer. 

• Many supporters will be a long way from home and we want to offer the best hospitality we can for our dedicated and loyal donors, members and sponsors.

• Each project will be different of course, and we'll need to use our online reservation system to keep things organized but, we'll do everything we can to make everyone happy.

• Legal Note: offering hospitality services will be contingent upon the local "zoning codes and ordinances" and laws that are applicable to the location of specific projects.

 

Que:

• Will any of your projects have areas for Motor-coaches?

Ans:

• You will need to check our on-line reservation system after we finish our first project.

• Each project will be different and there may or may not be areas on the estate to park a motor-coach.

• If we do have space to accommodate motor-coaches, we'll have to limit how many visit at any given time and the motor-coaches will have to be totally self-contained so we aren't' classified as an RV Park.

• Legal Note: offering hospitality services will be contingent upon the local "zoning codes and ordinances" and laws that are applicable to the location of specific projects.

 

 

 

Affiliations With Other Organizations Or Companies
 

Que:

• Are you affiliated with, or are you a part of, the organization called "National Trust for Historic Preservation?" And do you do the same things that they do?

Ans:

• First, no we're not affiliated with the "National Trust for Historic Preservation" and we're not part of their organization.

  • On a side note, they've accomplished great things regarding the preservation of our historical sites in the United States and The History Fund would be honored to be able to work with them in any way possible.

• Secondly, yes we do the same things but, in a much different way.

  • Most importantly, we're both trying to save our historic buildings and the contents inside of them.

  • And we're trying to share almost everything with the general public.

  • What makes The History Fund different is that we focus on the following:

    • First, we're global in scope and that allows us to accomplish more and be more flexible.

      • It also allows us to offer a network of properties to global travelers.

    • Secondly, we focus on offering special Membership Packages to larger supporters and members who can then have special access to the projects for hospitality, dining, meetings, events, festivities, entertainment, sports, recreation, leisure etc. 

    • Thirdly, we're focused on generating profits so we can not only have reserve funds for operations for all of our projects but, we'll have extra funds to reinvest in more projects that we can save!

      • One of our primary objectives is to have each project be as self-supporting as much as possible.

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Que:

• Are you affiliated with any local "Historic Preservation Groups" across the country or globally?

Ans:

• Not at the moment because we just started The History Fund to raise funds to purchase, rehab and restore unique projects.

• That being said, we would love to work with one or more organizations globally if they agree to our business model and our way of owning and managing projects. 

 

See below please for more FAQs

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