San Francisco Residents Given a Say in Allocation of Preservation Grants

Nearly 200,000 people took part in a recent experiment by preservation charities that divvied up $1-million by letting random citizens at kiosks vote on how they thought the money would be best spent, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The kiosks were set up in coffee shops, and anyone who happened by could vote on which building in the San Francisco Bay Area they thought most deserved a share of the pot, which was set aside for preservation purposes.

All 25 buildings were designated historic sites, and none sought funds for major renovations. Instead they asked for smaller upgrades—a new roof, a new mess hall, or earthquake-proofing work. Thirteen sites were awarded grants in what preservation groups hope was the first of many online-voting charity campaigns.

Read The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s article about this effort.

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