Mississippi Heritage Trust

What Mississippi Heritage Trust does

Mississippi Heritage Trust (MHT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 and headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, with a mailing address in Cleveland. Its mission is to save and renew places meaningful to Mississippians and their history, operating statewide across all 82 Mississippi counties. The organization runs a portfolio of preservation-focused programs rather than a technology platform: the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi advocacy list (inaugurated 1999), the annual Listen Up! Historic Preservation Conference and Heritage Awards, the bi-annual Elevation journal (~50,000 readership), a free Preservation Curriculum for grades 4–12, and statewide technical assistance including National Register nominations, historic resource surveys, and design guidelines. Revenue is generated through a membership program (pricing undisclosed), publication advertising ($400–$2,800 per placement in Elevation), grants, and donations. The organization is supported by a two-person core staff — Executive Director Lolly Rash and Director of Programs Claire Cothren Winn — with reported total headcount of 1–10. MHT's most consequential strategic assets are regulatory: it successfully lobbied for the Mississippi State Historic Tax Credit (2006, reauthorized 2016, extended to 2030 with an additional $60 million in 2020) and co-supports the Community Heritage Preservation Grant Program with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, which has directed more than $48 million into 270+ restoration projects. The cumulative economic impact of these state-level programs is documented at 329+ historic places saved, $297 million in private investment leveraged, 6,355 jobs created, and $169 million in household income generated. MHT operates a community-led go-to-market model anchored by partnerships with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Park Service, Mississippi Main Street Association, and dozens of local preservation foundations.

Name

Mississippi Heritage Trust

Legal name

Mississippi Heritage Trust

Website

https://mississippiheritage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mississippi Heritage Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1992 that advocates for and preserves historic places across all 82 Mississippi counties, operating programs including the 10 Most Endangered list, Heritage Awards, Elevation journal, and a K–12 preservation curriculum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Preservation Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

Keywords

• Historic preservation services
• Heritage conservation advocacy
• Preservation education programs
• Community heritage grants
• Historic tax credit advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Jackson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Program: Annual membership program supporting preservation efforts, offering benefits including travel discounts through Historic Hotels of America partnership and access to publications like Elevation magazine
2. Grants and Donations: The organization receives grants and charitable donations to fund preservation initiatives, endowment, and operational activities
3. Publication Advertising: Elevation magazine accepts advertising from businesses targeting preservation-minded decision makers, with rates ranging from $400 for 1/6 page to $2,800 for two-page spread

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Mississippi Heritage Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that saves and renews places meaningful to Mississippians and their history through preservation advocacy, education, and community engagement. Its offerings include the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places advocacy program, the annual Listen Up! Historic Preservation Conference and Heritage Awards, the bi-annual Elevation journal, a K-12 Preservation Curriculum, statewide technical assistance services, and an individual/organizational membership program.

Product overview

Mississippi Heritage Trust is a non-profit preservation organization offering advocacy programs, educational resources, and annual events rather than a technology platform. Its core offerings include the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi advocacy program, the annual Listen Up! Historic Preservation Conference and Heritage Awards, the Elevation journal (bi-annual publication), a Preservation Curriculum for K-12 schools, and statewide technical assistance services including historic resource surveys, National Register nominations, and design guidelines. The organization does not operate as a unified software platform but rather as a collection of preservation-focused programs and publications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi: Annual list raising awareness of endangered historic treasures in Mississippi, inaugurated in 1999
• Heritage Awards
• Listen Up!
• MHT

Products and services

• 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in Mississippi Annual advocacy program that raises awareness of historic treasures at risk in Mississippi, driving preservation actions and public attention for endangered properties statewide.
• Listen Up! Historic Preservation Conference and Heritage Awards Annual historic preservation conference featuring educational sessions, property tours, and the Heritage Awards ceremony recognizing excellence in Mississippi preservation.
• Elevation Journal Bi-annual print and digital journal of the Mississippi Heritage Trust featuring preservation success stories, rehabilitation guidance, and architectural heritage features, distributed to members, officials, libraries, and historic hotels with an estimated 50,000 readers.
• Preservation Curriculum Free downloadable historic preservation curriculum for 4th through 12th grade classrooms in Mississippi, providing lesson plans and supplementary materials on architectural heritage.
• Statewide Preservation Support Services Technical assistance services for historic resource surveys, National Register nominations, preservation design guidelines, and advocacy for historic properties across Mississippi's 82 counties.
• Membership Program Individual and organizational membership supporting Mississippi Heritage Trust preservation work, with benefits including travel discounts through Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide (up to 30% off) and access to the Elevation journal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 329 historic places saved through tax credit programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels WorldwidecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership offering MHT members discounts up to 30% off best available rates at participating historic hotels. Provides member travel benefits and connects preservation with hospitality tourism.
• Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary state partner for historic preservation. MHT works with MDAH on Community Heritage Preservation Grants, Historic Tax Credit administration, National Register nominations, and statewide preservation initiatives.
• Mississippi Main Street AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide partner supporting downtown revitalization and historic preservation through Main Street programs and community planning charrettes.
• AIA MississippiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState chapter of American Institute of Architects partner for preservation design guidance and professional expertise.
• National Trust for Historic PreservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner providing resources, conferences, 11 Most Endangered list, and collaborative programs including Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for National Register of Historic Places, preservation grants, and technical assistance programs.
• Walter Anderson Museum of ArtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in saving Oldfields (Lewis House) in Gautier, connected to Walter Anderson's legacy.
• Greater Belhaven FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for Jackson neighborhood preservation, historic district education, and community programming.
• Historic Natchez FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal preservation partner for Natchez, collaborated on Angelety House restoration and church preservation.
• The SouthWay FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partner for preservation in historically under-resourced communities, focusing on African American historic sites.
• The Lighthouse | Black Girls ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed Blackwell Freedom House restoration, Civil Rights landmark preservation in Mayersville.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Community Foundation for Mississippi: Philanthropic partner that administers MHT's endowment fund. Functions as a financial intermediary, not a preservation peer, but is structurally critical to MHT's funding model.
• AIA Mississippi: State chapter of the American Institute of Architects, listed as a Minor partner to MHT for preservation design guidance. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• National Trust for Historic Preservation: The national umbrella preservation organization with which MHT is a state partner. Operates the 11 Most Endangered list (in which MHT-nominated sites have appeared) and provides national-level resources, conferences, and funding.

Direct peers

• Preservation Alliance of Virginia: Statewide 501(c)(3) advocacy and education nonprofit for historic preservation in Virginia, offering Most Endangered Places listings, awards programs, and public engagement comparable to MHT's portfolio.
• New York Landmarks Conservancy: Statewide preservation nonprofit offering advocacy, grants, and technical assistance for historic properties in New York. Same nonprofit-preservation operating model as MHT, with a comparable suite of programs.
• Indiana Landmarks: Large statewide nonprofit focused on saving historic places across Indiana through advocacy, grants, and direct property stewardship. Closely mirrors MHT's mission and program structure at greater scale.
• Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation: Statewide private nonprofit preservation organization in Georgia operating a near-identical model: advocacy, endangered places lists, preservation awards, and heritage education programs. Direct structural and mission peer to MHT.

Regional players

• Historic Natchez Foundation: Local preservation nonprofit operating in Natchez, Mississippi — a documented MHT partner. Comparable advocacy and property-stewardship mission but geographically narrow to one city.
• Mississippi Main Street Association: Statewide Mississippi nonprofit focused on downtown revitalization and historic preservation through the Main Street Approach. Shares geography and overlapping preservation goals with MHT, but emphasizes commercial district economic development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Mississippi Heritage Trust