The Watson-Brown Foundation supports historic preservation in part through its Junior Board of Trustees, a talented group of local high school students whose exclusive mission is to preserve local history. This educational initiative fosters civic responsibility, heightens an appreciation for local history, and introduces the students to the world of philanthropy.

The Thomson Chapter of the Junior Board awards up to $30,000 in grant funding to organizations involved in historic preservation projects in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) of Georgia and South Carolina.

The Junior Board accepts new member applications from April through mid-September. New members accepted onto the Board will be notified in early October. The Board meets ONCE per month — after 5:00pm. Please indicate on your application ALL after school or work activities that can be or cannot be missed.  Occasional Saturday meetings may occur.

The application cycle for the 2023-2024 school year is now closed. The application for the 2024-2025 school year will be uploaded in August of 2024.

Grant applications for historic preservation projects are available in December and January. Applications must be in our office by date noted on application to be eligible for consideration. Organizations interested in applying for funds are encouraged to contact the Junior Board Coordinator, Franke Smith, prior to applying.  

• Grant projects must be related to historic preservation or the dissemination of knowledge about a historic resource.

• Projects MAY NOT be completed prior to the grant decision date.

• The maximum amount that may be requested is $30,000 per year.

• Only one application per organization per year will be accepted. Applicants may NOT apply to both the Junior Board and the Watson-Brown Foundation Board within the same fiscal year.

Timeline:  

• February -- grant applications are due

• March & April -- applications are reviewed, site visits are made

• late April/early May -- funding decisions are made and successful applicants are notified

• late May -- Funding Agreements are drafted and signed

• early June -- funds are disbursed

For more information about the Thomson Junior Board chapter, its historic preservation grants, or its membership policies, please contact Franke Smith at (706) 595-7777 or by e-mail at fsmith@hickory-hill.org.    

**For information about the Milledgeville Junior Board chapter please contact Matt Davis at (478) 445-4545. And for the Athens Junior Board chapter please contact Ashleigh Oatts at (706) 369-3513. Be sure to submit your application to the appropriate Board Coordinator! 

Ten Easy Steps to Writing a Great Grant

2022-2023 Grant Cycle

Augusta Museum of History                               $  3900             disaster recovery supplies

City of Harlem Museum                                      $  3280             exhibit case

Thomson Memorial Cemetery                             $  6290             headstone conservation

Lincoln County Historical Society                       $19,500            stabilization of slave dwelling/kitchen