Preservation Dallas

What Preservation Dallas does

Preservation Dallas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1972 and headquartered at the Wilson House, a Queen Anne Victorian mansion at 2922 Swiss Avenue in Dallas, Texas. Its mission is the preservation and revitalization of Dallas's historic buildings, neighborhoods, and places. The organization operates with 1-10 staff under the leadership of Executive Director Sarah Crain (appointed September 2024, succeeding David Preziosi) and a Board of Trustees, and runs a portfolio of advocacy and educational programs including the annual Preservation Achievement Awards (now in its 27th year), the Most Endangered Historic Places List, the Embrace Dallas mapping initiative, Historic House Specialist certification seminars, In Town Outings and architectural tours, the Summer Sizzlers lecture series, and the quarterly Legacies Magazine.

The organization serves individual members and supporters, corporate partners (architecture and construction firms such as Gensler, Merriman Anderson/Architects, Rogers-O'Brien Construction, and Architexas), property owners and developers undertaking preservation projects, neighborhood associations, and government partners including the City of Dallas and the Texas Historical Commission. Its revenue model is a mix of recurring individual memberships ($50-$2,500 tiers), corporate memberships ($150-$2,500+ tiers), donations and planned giving through the Pegasus Society, event ticket and nomination fees, and tiered corporate sponsorships for the Preservation Achievement Awards (Bronze $1,500 through Presenting $20,000). The technology stack is minimal and mission-adjacent: a website on the NeonCRM platform for membership and donations, standard social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr), and the Embrace Dallas mapping platform — none of which constitute a proprietary technology product. The organization does not develop software, AI, or data products; its competitive position rests on its 50+ year brand, government and developer relationships, and stewardship of recurring preservation programs rather than on technology or scale economics.

Name

Preservation Dallas

Legal name

Preservation Dallas

Website

https://preservationdallas.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Preservation Dallas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that advocates for historic preservation in Dallas, Texas through annual awards, advocacy campaigns, educational seminars, architectural tours, and membership and corporate sponsorship programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Preservation Advocacy

NAICS

Historical Sites (712120), Historical Sites (71212), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI), Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH)

Keywords

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas, Texas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership subscriptions at various tiers (Preservationist I at $75, Preservationist II at $125, Young Professionals at $50, Protector at $275, Guardian at $500, Conservator at $1,000, Steward at $2,500) providing access to events, tours, and member benefits.
2. Corporate Memberships: Corporate partner memberships including Community Partner at $150, Corporate Partner at $1,000, and Corporate Steward at $2,500 and up, offering multiple employee memberships and recognition benefits.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting preservation efforts, advocacy, and educational programs. The organization also maintains a legacy giving program (Pegasus Society) for planned gifts.
4. Event Revenue: Revenue from paid events including the annual Preservation Achievement Awards (tickets and sponsorships), tours, and educational programs like Historic House Specialist seminars.
5. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsorships for the Preservation Achievement Awards at various levels: Presenting Sponsor $20,000, Gold Sponsor $10,000, Silver Sponsor $5,000, Bronze Sponsor $1,500.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Preservation Dallas is a nonprofit historic preservation advocacy organization that educates the public, recognizes outstanding preservation projects, and advocates for protection of historic buildings and neighborhoods in Dallas. It sells memberships, sponsorships, paid tours, lectures, certification seminars, and the annual Preservation Achievement Awards.

Product overview

Preservation Dallas is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of educational programs, tours, advocacy initiatives, and membership services focused on historic preservation in Dallas. The core offerings include the annual Preservation Achievement Awards program recognizing outstanding preservation projects; architectural and historic site tours including In Town Outings, seasonal architectural tours, Cocktails for Preservation exclusive home tours, and Wilson House tours; educational seminars including Historic House Specialist (HHS) and Advanced Historic House Specialist (AHHS) certifications; and the Summer Sizzlers lecture series. Advocacy programs include the Most Endangered Historic Places List and the Embrace Dallas mapping initiative. The organization also provides tax incentive resources for property owners and publishes Legacies Magazine for members. Membership programs range from individual tiers ($75-$2,500) to corporate partnerships, with a Young Professionals subgroup and Pegasus Society planned giving program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preservation Achievement Awards Annual awards program recognizing outstanding projects involving the preservation, rehabilitation, and enhancement of historic buildings and neighborhoods in Dallas, with categories including residential, commercial, institutional, landscape, and special recognition awards such as the Dorothy Savage Award and Spirit of Preservation Award.
• In Town Outings Behind-the-scenes tours of historic buildings and places throughout Dallas, open to the public with free admission for members.
• Architectural Tours Seasonal tours featuring Dallas' most historic, interesting, and successful preservation and revitalization projects, exploring various architectural styles and periods.
• Summer Sizzlers Lecture Series Annual educational lecture series featuring speakers on topics related to preservation, architecture, and history, typically held in the Wilson Carriage House.
• Historic House Specialist (HHS) Seminar Semi-annual certification seminar with lectures from local experts on architectural history, historic districts, sustainability, building research, and more; participants receive Virginia McAlester's A Field Guide to American Houses and realtors can receive 8 hours of MCE credit.
• Advanced Historic House Specialist (AHHS) Seminar Advanced seminar expanding on HHS knowledge including construction materials, economics of preservation, certificate of appropriateness process, historic landscapes, and building research techniques; realtors can receive 6 hours of MCE credit.
• Cocktails for Preservation Exclusive events offering tours of rarely opened historic homes with hors d'oeuvres and drinks, providing supporters access to exclusive properties.
• Wilson House Tours Tours of the Queen Anne Victorian mansion that houses the Preservation Dallas office at 2922 Swiss Avenue, with informal 10-30 minute tours teaching visitors about architectural details and adaptive reuse.
• Wilson Block Historic District Self-Guided Walking Tour Self-guided walking tour of Victorian homes on historic Swiss Avenue with downloadable brochure exploring turn-of-the-century Dallas architecture.
• Membership Programs Individual and corporate membership tiers including Preservationist I ($75), Preservationist II ($125), Young Professionals ($50), Protector ($275), Guardian ($500), Conservator ($1,000), Steward ($2,500), Community Partner, Corporate Partner, and Corporate Steward levels with various benefits.
• Preservation Dallas Young Professionals (PDYP) Membership subgroup for Dallas residents under age 40 with enthusiasm for history, architecture, sustainability, and preservation, offering social and networking events.
• Pegasus Society Planned giving program inviting supporters to leave legacy gifts through bequests, retirement assets, life insurance, charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities, or real estate donations.
• Legacies Magazine Quarterly newsletter publication covering preservation news, events, advocacy updates, and historical features, provided free to members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 attendees at annual Preservation Achievement Awards
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Trust for Historic PreservationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Preservation Dallas is affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and received the 2020 Trustee's Award for Organizational Excellence. The National Trust provides resources, advocacy support, and recognition for the organization.
• ArchitexasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArchitecture and preservation firm listed as a corporate sponsor of Preservation Dallas events.
• Andres ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction company listed as a corporate sponsor supporting Preservation Dallas events.
• Echelon LeadershipminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeadership consulting firm listed as a corporate sponsor.
• Elyse Design BuildminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesign-build firm listed as a corporate sponsor.
• GenslerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArchitecture firm listed as a corporate sponsor with Fair Park Tower project.
• Harper Drummond Davis ArchitectsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArchitecture firm listed as a corporate sponsor.
• IMEG CorpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEngineering firm listed as a corporate sponsor.
• KPost CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction company listed as a corporate sponsor.
• LudowiciminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBuilding products company listed as a corporate sponsor.
• Merriman Anderson/ArchitectsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArchitecture firm with the largest body of preservation design work in Dallas, received special tribute at 2019 awards. Listed as sponsor.
• Phoenix 1 RestorationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestoration and construction services company, perennial sponsor of awards events.
• Premier PMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProject management firm listed as a corporate sponsor.
• PreservanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreservation services company with Dallas location listed as a sponsor.
• Rogers-O'Brien ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConstruction company listed as a corporate sponsor.
• Siebler Remodeling & Historic PreservationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHistoric preservation and remodeling firm listed as a corporate sponsor.
• Treanor DesignminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArchitecture firm listed as a corporate sponsor.
• Dallas Architecture ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreservation Dallas partners with the Dallas Architecture Forum for panel discussions and educational events on architecture and preservation topics.
• Dallas Heritage VillagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on preservation efforts including saving the Blue House from demolition. Dallas Heritage Village is Dallas's premier living history museum.
• Old Oak Cliff Conservation LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in preservation efforts including JFK site presentations and conservation district advocacy.
• Downtown Dallas, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived special tribute at 2017 awards for work making Dallas urban center a great place to invest, live, work and restore historic buildings.
• Texas Historical CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency administering tax credit programs for historic preservation that Preservation Dallas references for property owners.
• City of DallascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey government partner in preservation efforts including Sustainable Development and Construction Department, Landmark Commission, and city council advocacy.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/PreserveDallas
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZ4GwP-_CiW3m9qXo9Y0rOw/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/PreservationDallas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/preservation-dallas
• Instagraminstagram.com/preservedallas/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Preservation Dallas