Southern Memorial Association | Application Preview
Southern Memorial Association is seeking government grants to finance critical preservation needs at the Old City Cemetery Museums & Arboretum. Key issues include the deterioration of brick, rock, and mortar in several areas, which not only detracts from the site’s aesthetic but also poses safety risks. Although funds were recently raised to restore one section with a skilled mason, four additional sections still require urgent attention, along with the repairs and replacement of costly wrought iron fences.
The organization emphasizes the importance of financial support to repair two structurally unsafe stone sections, stating the same mason could continue this work at the previously agreed price if funds are secured this year. The funding will play a significant role in maintaining both the historical integrity and safety of the cemetery, ensuring its beauty and significance for future generations.
In terms of its business plan, the Southern Memorial Association prioritizes education across all age groups. By enhancing educational programs in 2024, they aim to provide students with rich historical knowledge. Additionally, the association plans to rent out facilities, particularly the chapel, utilizing advertising in bridal magazines to boost interest and profit.
As a nonprofit organization, the association is dedicated to preserving history while educating the community. However, the rising costs of maintenance for headstones, antique roses, and museums present challenges. They rely on donations and grants to continue their work and maintain the site.
Notably, the association faces no local competition, leveraging its status as Virginia's oldest active cemetery, which includes the burial sites of Revolutionary War soldiers. This historic landmark spans 27 acres and houses multiple museums, providing a unique competitive advantage in educational and preservation efforts.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 54-1737181
Location: Lynchburg, VA, United States
Length of Operation: 11plus
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: NO
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Funding Usage
We are seeking financial assistance to address critical preservation needs within our grounds at Old City Cemetery Museums & Arboretum. Specifically, we have identified several areas where the deterioration of brick, rock, and mortar has not only become an eyesore but also poses a significant safety hazard. While we have successfully raised funds to repair one section, there are still four other sections in urgent need of restoration. To give you an idea of the scale of the project, we recently invested $5,000 to hire a skilled local brick mason who dedicated over a week to meticulously restore one of our plots. The result is not only structurally sound but also visually stunning, reminiscent of its original beauty. However, we still have several wrought iron fences that require repairs and replacements. Unfortunately, wrought iron has become increasingly expensive and challenging to source, forcing us to prioritize repairs to ensure the safety of our visitors. By providing this financial support, we can fix two of the concerns on our property. We have two sections of stone that are structurally unsafe and provide an eyesore to the historic property. The same mason has stated that even though the sections are larger, that he will continue this service for the same price if we can raise the money this year. You will play a crucial role in preserving the historical integrity and ensuring the safety of our beloved cemetery. Your contribution will enable us to address these pressing preservation needs, allowing us to maintain the beauty and significance of Old City Cemetery for generations to come. We deeply appreciate your consideration and support in this endeavor.
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Business Plan
We plan on focusing primary on education no matter the age of the student. We want to focus on the "next generation" to ensure we provide students and those interested with concrete evidence and facts about our local and national history. We plan on continuing to rent our available buildings, especially our chapel. We have ad campaigns in bridal magazines to increase the interest in our facilities which we are able to make 100% profit on. As a non-profit organization, our mission is twofold: to preserve history and to educate all those who seek knowledge. In 2024, we are thrilled to expand our educational offerings to students, providing them with enhanced opportunities to learn about our shared heritage. However, the increasing costs of maintenance and upkeep pose a significant challenge. We are entrusted with the care of countless headstones, over 400 antique roses, and a myriad of other plants, trees, and shrubs that require meticulous attention. Our museums, too, demand ongoing maintenance and upkeep to ensure they remain engaging and informative. Furthermore, we rely on dedicated manpower to educate and serve our guests, necessitating additional funds. To sustain this historic site, we heavily rely on the generosity of fundraising, donations, and grants.
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Self Identified Competition
No competitors locally We are the oldest active cemetery in Virginia. We have Revolutionary War Soldiers buried here. We are a historic landmark, level 2 arboretum and we house multiple museums all in 27 acres.
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Contact Applicant
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