The O’Connor Fund

The O’Connor Fund for Historic Preservation, established in 2000 by Pam and Terry O’Connor, is administered by the City of Kalamazoo to support historic preservation activities within the city. Its core mission aligns with the Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission (KHPC)'s goals, aiming to safeguard and enhance Kalamazoo's historical resources. The fund provides grants between $2,000 and $10,000 to eligible projects that contribute to the preservation of buildings, areas, and other resources more than 50 years old. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are 501(c)(3) or other non-profit organizations, public agencies, and governmental units operating within the city of Kalamazoo that own historic properties. The impact goals are centered on fostering a vibrant historical landscape, ensuring the longevity of significant structures, and promoting an understanding of the city's heritage. The fund seeks to prevent dilapidation, encourage respectful rehabilitation, and support comprehensive planning efforts that contribute to the overall historic preservation strategy of Kalamazoo. The fund prioritizes projects that fall into two main categories: Rehabilitation Projects and Preservation Planning Projects. Rehabilitation projects focus on the physical restoration and repair of exterior components of historic resources, including roofs, chimneys, walls, windows, doors, fire escapes, elevators, and foundations. Preservation Planning Projects encompass a broader range of activities such as Economic Feasibility Studies, Historic Building Condition Reports, architectural rehabilitation plans, historic district study reports, under-represented communities surveys, and designation nominations. All projects must be carried out or supervised by qualified professionals. Expected outcomes include the successful preservation and rehabilitation of historic structures, the creation of robust preservation plans, and increased community engagement with Kalamazoo’s historical assets. Measurable results could include the number of historic properties successfully rehabilitated, the completion of planning documents that inform future preservation efforts, and the designation of new historic sites or districts. The fund's strategic priorities are deeply integrated with the KHPC Annual Work Plan, goals and plans of Imagine Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County Housing Plan, and the Michigan Statewide Historic Preservation Plan, signifying a comprehensive approach to historic preservation as a component of broader community development and cultural enrichment.