WASHINGTON - The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation today announced a partnership to cooperatively market Gifts of Heritage, a charitable program that accepts donations of architecturally or historically significant homes and then sells them to preservation minded buyers. The program will be marketed to the memberships of the two organizations and proceeds from any sales will benefit both equally.

The Gift of Heritage program allows donors who have an interest in supporting advancement of the LGBT community and historic preservation an opportunity to support both national institutions, and insures that historically or architecturally significant properties are preserved for future generations in private ownership.

"We are pleased to partner with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation because members of the LGBT community have a long history of preserving historic buildings and neighborhoods, and revitalizing communities," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

According to the partnership's structure, the National Trust for Historic Preservation will actually take ownership of properties gifted through the program and manage them until sold. A preservation and conservation easement protecting the property will be established and described to potential buyers. Marketing and sale of properties will be done in consultation with Human Rights Campaign Foundation. A portion of the proceeds will be placed in an endowment fund for the National Trust for Historic Preservation to regularly monitor the easement.

Individuals may donate their property during their lifetime either outright or with a retained life estate, or they may donate it through a bequest in their will. There are three general requirements for a property to be eligible for the Gifts of Heritage program: be at least 50 years old with architecturally defining features be unencumbered (no liens or mortgages) and, meet minimum valuation requirements. Donors receive a charitable deduction on their federal income taxes, avoid capital gains on the property's appreciated value and remove the asset from their estate.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history - and the important moments of everyday life - took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, 9 regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America's stories. For more information, visit www.PreservationNation.org.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.