Lynn Gray

Partners for Sacred Places, Inc. is a national, non-sectarian nonprofit organization that supports congregations of historic sacred places in better serving their communities. The non-profit company is based in Philadelphia, PA. The organization offers consulting, training, and research-backed educational resources to help faith communities adapt to changing circumstances by increasing fundraising effectiveness, managing and caring for religious buildings, sharing and repurposing sacred spaces, engaging communities, and transitioning properties. Key programs include grant initiatives such as the Faithful Fund, which supports preservation of historic religious properties in rural towns, and the Fund for Black Sacred Places, which provides planning and matching grants to Black-led congregations for restoration and equitable community access. Partners for Sacred Places also conducts impact research through "Halo Studies" that quantify the social, economic, and civic contributions of sacred places, aiding congregations in advocacy and fundraising. Tools like the Public Value Calculator and feasibility studies help congregations measure and communicate their community impact to inspire giving. The organization publishes "Sacred Places Magazine" and various guides, reports, and training materials covering preservation, fundraising, adaptive reuse, and community engagement. Through collaborations across preservation, faith, philanthropy, and social service sectors, Partners for Sacred Places builds relationships and secures sustainable futures for historic sacred sites nationwide. The company was founded in 1989 by Robert Jaeger.