Columbus Landmarks

What Columbus Landmarks does

Columbus Landmarks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1977 by Nancy Recchie and Jeff Darbee in Columbus, Ohio, focused on preserving the city's architectural and cultural heritage. The organization operates four primary program pillars: Preservation Services (free scope-of-work consultations for homeowners of historic properties 50 years and older, preferred contractor referrals, and administration of the Endangered Properties Fund and Home Preservation Loan Program), Education and Outreach (the congressionally-recognized Building Arts Studio workforce development program in traditional building trades, hands-on workshops, and the annual Advocacy Bus Tour), Saving Endangered Sites (the annual Most Endangered Sites list published since 2014, The Atlas interactive mapping tool categorizing properties as Saved/Watch List/Endangered/Lost, and direct advocacy), and Research and Evaluation (staff research funded by the National Science Foundation, HUD, EPA, IMLS, and R-1 universities, with staff appearances at NPR, Columbus Metropolitan Club, and The Royal Society).

The organization also runs the James B. Recchie Design Award annually since 1984, honoring urban design excellence across historic and new buildings, parks, public spaces, and public art. Columbus Landmarks is governed by a board of directors and currently led by CEO Chris Hune as of February 2026. Its operating geography is the Columbus Metro Area, served from its headquarters at 57 Jefferson Ave in downtown Columbus, where it is a longtime tenant of the Jefferson Avenue Center nonprofit hub.

Revenue is generated through a community-led GTM model encompassing membership dues (annual subscriptions), tax-deductible donations, corporate and institutional sponsorships (notably for the annual #PreserveCBUS conference), ticketed event revenue (e.g., $50 Most Endangered Sites Advocacy Bus Tour tickets), and grants from foundations (Columbus Foundation, 1772 Foundation) and federal agencies. The organization partners with the Historic Preservation Education Foundation, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and Columbus Foundation across preservation education, workforce development, and funding activities.

Name

Columbus Landmarks

Legal name

Columbus Landmarks Foundation

Website

https://columbuslandmarks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Columbus Landmarks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1977 that preserves Columbus, Ohio's architectural and cultural heritage through free homeowner consultations, an annual Most Endangered Sites list, the Recchie Design Award, and a congressionally-recognized building trades workforce program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Preservation Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (712120), Museums (712110)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Sites, Heritage Landmarks & Archaeological Sites (THAJACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE), Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)

Keywords

• Historic preservation
• Heritage conservation
• Community advocacy
• Preservation education
• Architectural conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees that provide access to preservation services, preferred contractor lists, and community resources. Members receive free scope-of-work sessions on historic homes under the Home Preservation Program.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals, sponsors, and foundations supporting the nonprofit's preservation mission. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
3. Event Fees and Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticketed events such as the annual Most Endangered Sites Advocacy Bus Tour ($50 per ticket), workshops, and educational programs.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate and organizational sponsorships for the annual #PreserveCBUS conference and other heritage preservation initiatives.
5. Grant Funding: Research and evaluation efforts funded by the National Science Foundation, Housing and Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency, The Institute of Museum and Library Services, and R-1 University teams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Columbus Landmarks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that educates and advocates for the preservation of Columbus's historic buildings, neighborhoods, and landmarks. It delivers direct homeowner services through the Home Preservation Program (free architectural consultations), runs advocacy initiatives such as the Most Endangered Sites List and bus tours, and offers educational programs including the James B. Recchie Design Award, the Atlas of Columbus Landmarks, and the Building Arts Studio.

Product overview

Columbus Landmarks operates as a nonprofit preservation organization offering a portfolio of programs including the annual Most Endangered Sites List to identify at-risk historic properties, the Home Preservation Program (HPP) providing free consultations and contractor connections to historic homeowners, the James B. Recchie Design Award recognizing urban design excellence since 1984, the Atlas of Columbus Landmarks interactive mapping tool, Building Arts Studio workforce development training, and Preservation Services including loan programs and advocacy. The organization functions as a membership-based nonprofit rather than a commercial technology platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Home Preservation Program (HPP) Free architectural consultations and preservation guidance provided to owners of historic and older homes in Columbus, helping them undertake appropriate repair, restoration, and maintenance of significant architectural features. The program is delivered with support from corporate and civic partners such as the AIA Columbus chapter and the Columbus Foundation.
• Most Endangered Sites List An annual advocacy program that identifies and publicizes the most threatened historic sites in Columbus in order to draw public attention, encourage preservation action, and support advocacy on behalf of at-risk buildings and places.
• James B. Recchie Design Award An annual design award program administered by Columbus Landmarks that recognizes excellence in preservation, design, and related contributions to Columbus's built environment, named in honor of co-founder James B. Recchie.
• Atlas of Columbus Landmarks An interactive map and educational database documenting Columbus's historic landmarks, structures, and sites, made available to the public as a resource for research, advocacy, and community education about the city's built heritage.
• Building Arts Studio An educational program offered by Columbus Landmarks that teaches traditional building arts and preservation craft skills, supporting hands-on learning about historic construction techniques for community members and preservation advocates.
• Advocacy Bus Tours Ticketed guided bus tours hosted by Columbus Landmarks that highlight the city's historic neighborhoods, landmarks, and preservation issues, providing an educational experience for members, supporters, and the broader community while advancing the organization's advocacy mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Most Endangered Sites list has been published annually since 2014, listing dozens of properties each year and achieving documented saves including Indianola Junior High School, Nagy Brothers Shoe Repair, Salzgaber Farmhouse, Original Port Columbus Terminal, Holy Rosary High School, Greater Columbus Antique Mall, Marble Cliff Gateway Mansion, Ohio Baptist General Association Buildings, Maennerchor, Salesian Boys & Girls Club, and others.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Historic Preservation Education Foundation (HPEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHPEF is listed as a partner organization on Columbus Landmarks' website, indicating a collaborative relationship in supporting historic preservation education and workforce development initiatives.
• Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACHP is listed as a partner, with Columbus Landmarks specifically noted on ACHP's Traditional Trades Training programs and resources page, indicating collaboration on workforce development in historic preservation trades.
• Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGCAC is listed as a partner organization, indicating collaborative relationship in arts and cultural preservation initiatives in Columbus.
• Jefferson Avenue CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColumbus Landmarks is a longtime tenant of the Jefferson Avenue Center building at 57 Jefferson Ave. The Maennerchor building was donated with rehabilitation funds to this nonprofit that leases space to other nonprofits. Columbus Landmarks moved to this location as part of its tenant community.
• Cole Moffatt / Steelton Glass (Board Member)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCole Moffatt, owner of Steelton Glass and Columbus Landmarks board member, leads restoration of original stained glass windows from The Abbey Mausoleum, demonstrating a personal/professional partnership between the organization's board and preservation services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Trust for Historic Preservation: National nonprofit advocating for historic preservation across the U.S. Highly comparable mission and programs (endangered sites lists, advocacy, homeowner guidance), but operates at a much larger national scale rather than a single metro focus like Columbus Landmarks.
• Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: U.S. federal independent agency advising on historic preservation policy and traditional trades training. Comparable in traditional-trades workforce development to Columbus Landmarks' Building Arts Studio, but operating federally rather than at a community level.

Direct peers

• New York Landmarks Conservancy: NYC nonprofit providing preservation advice, technical assistance, and advocacy for historic buildings. Comparable mission and HPP-style homeowner services to Columbus Landmarks, though serving a much denser, older building stock.
• Indiana Landmarks: Statewide nonprofit preservation organization that advocates for endangered historic sites, supports homeowner preservation, and runs advocacy programs. Very close operating model to Columbus Landmarks but with statewide Indiana coverage.
• Cleveland Restoration Society: Northeast Ohio nonprofit providing preservation services, advocacy, and homeowner guidance for historic properties. A near-direct regional peer sharing HPP-style homeowner consulting, advocacy, and recognition programs comparable to Columbus Landmarks.
• Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois: Illinois statewide preservation advocacy nonprofit that runs endangered-site programs, homeowner consultations, and design recognition. Comparable in scope and program mix to Columbus Landmarks at the state level.
• Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia: Regional preservation advocacy organization offering homeowner services, endangered-properties advocacy, and public programming in Greater Philadelphia. Highly comparable operating model and program mix to Columbus Landmarks.

Regional players

• Ohio History Connection: Ohio's statewide history nonprofit, operating historic sites, archives, and education programs. Comparable in preservation and education mission to Columbus Landmarks, but state-scoped and government-affiliated rather than community-led in a single metro.

Emerging players

• Partners for Sacred Places: National nonprofit focused on preservation of historic religious properties. Comparable advocacy and grant-making mission for at-risk sacred sites, with partial overlap to Columbus Landmarks' Most Endangered Sites work and endangered-properties fund.
• Chicago Architecture Center: Chicago nonprofit combining built-environment education, tours, and advocacy. Comparable in blending historic preservation with design excellence programming similar to Columbus Landmarks' Recchie Award and educational tour offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ColsLandmarks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ColumbusLandmarks
• Facebookfacebook.com/ColumbusLandmarksFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/columbus-landmarks-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/columbuslandmarks
• TikToktiktok.com/@columbuslandmarks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Columbus Landmarks