1000 Friends merge with Preservation Maryland

While the need for smart growth remains undiminished, the 1000 Friends of Maryland, a voice for better and smarter growth since 1994, decided that their work will become more effective by joining forces with Preservation Maryland, a group that has long expanded its preservation advocacy beyond buildings to communities and open space.

"Sprawl costs us all": Smart Growth slogan

In an open letter to members, friends and donors, Executive Director Kimberly Golden Brandt describes the synergy between the two organizations this way:

Preservationists have long made the argument that revitalization of existing communities – and their historic places – is the wisest form of economic redevelopment. When existing communities are revitalized, sprawl is limited. This symbiotic relationship has kept the smart growth and historic preservation communities advocating on each other’s behalf for many years.

Preservation Maryland was one of the founding organizational members of 1000 Friends of Maryland in 1994 and has remained a partner throughout the years by advocating for the policies and programs that make redevelopment of historic communities and protection of open space a reality.

Healthy communities, healthy landscapes: Downtown Frederick
(Photo from Preservation Maryland webpage)

The launch of Smart Growth Maryland will further solidify this already strong relationship. Smart Growth Maryland provides Preservation Maryland with the ability to advocate for an even greater set of policies and programs that make preservation work possible. Alternatively, Preservation Maryland provides the smart growth community a unique partner to advance their common mission and to utilize historic places as a part of an overall smart growth message.

Nicholas Redding, Executive Director of Preservation Maryland issued a similar statement to his members late Wednesday of this week. For board members of 1000 Friends who have been around since the founding of the organization the decision was not easy, especially since 1000 Friends at the intersection of economic development, environmental protection, land use and transportation remained unique throughout the last 24 years. But the proliferation of non-profits for all kinds of cases has also created some kind of donor fatigue and an abundance of organizations vying for the same pot of potential funds. Kimberly Brandt describes this situation in her letter as well:

Competition for limited donor dollars is fierce. Joining forces with allies is a proven way to strengthen the mission of compatible nonprofits. As a result of this merger, both organizations will be stronger and fewer dollars will be spent on overhead and administration, leaving more funds to invest in programmatic work.

1000 Friends of Maryland report cards for County growth policies

For most of the history of the Maryland smart growth organization,  Dru Schmidt Perkins had been the spiritus rector and the face of the organization. Dru was a well known voice in Annapolis and influenced many bills around land use, transportation and environmental protection. She retired from her position in November 2017. Her successor surprised the organization with his decision to return to his home state after a short stint with the 1000 Friends, leaving the long-term financial stability of the organization unresolved. Kimberly Golden Brandt, long the trusted right hand of Schmidt Perkins, stepped up and became the ED. She will remain program director for smart growth after the merger with Preservation Maryland.

Kimberly Golden Brandt, a proven leader remains in charge

1000 Friends sold their headquarters on Calvert Street and will merge the proceeds and other assets with Preservation Maryland where their use will be restricted to the new Smart Growth Maryland Program of Preservation Maryland.

Smart Growth Maryland is administratively and programmatically supported by the staff of Preservation Maryland. Just as Preservation Maryland supports the rest of its programs (Heritage Grants, Six-to-Fix, etc.), the organization provides both leadership and support for Smart Growth Maryland. Preservation Maryland maintains an extremely low overhead rate and invests nearly 90 cents of every donor’s dollar directly into programs. (Preservation Maryland Program website)

The need for strong competency around land use and transportation is obvious with a State administration that is headed by a rural real estate developer who pursues a transportation policy which looks like a throwback to a forgotten past when more highway lanes were considered a solution to congestion and air pollution. (Comments on some of those current highway plans can be made until August 31 here).

Dru Schmidt Perkins at farewell event  in Nov 2017

A new Baltimore area regional transportation plan has been mandated by the State legislature in the msot recent session. Kimberly Golden Brandt who understands the local, the regional and the State land use perspective,  economic development and the intersection of land use, transportation and preservation will remain an important voice in the emerging process, amplified and supported by a much larger and better endowed organization.

Klaus Philipsen, FAIA

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Related articles on this blog:
1000 Friends CEO Dru Schmidt Perkins to step down

Smart Growth as Foundation of Wealth, Equity and Justice

Celebrating 20 Years of Smart Growth Advocacy - What are the Results?