Council approves $2,000 community grant for Grandview Heights Marble Cliff Historical Society

The Grandview Heights City Council voted Monday to approve a $2,000 community grant to the Grandview Heights Marble Cliff Historical Society to support the society’s Tour of Homes fundraiser and other preservation projects.

Kent Studemaker, president of the Grandview Heights Marble Cliff Historical Society, told the council the society is a volunteer 501(c)(3) that relies on its tour — held every three years — as the organization’s primary fundraiser. “We are a 501c3 organization that’s solely a volunteer organization,” Studemaker said. He said the tour is set for Oct. 5 this year and typically brings 700 to 800 visitors over several hours.

Why it matters: The society uses Tour of Homes revenue to fund projects including a “100-plus-year-old home” initiative and app-based history walks. Studemaker provided a copy of the last tour brochure and said the society had 13 walking tours available and expected approximately $20,000 in tour revenue that funds the organization until the next tour cycle.

Council discussion and vote: Council members asked clarifying questions about the request and the society’s revenue expectations. A council member moved to approve the $2,000 award and another member seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote with all members saying “aye.” No roll-call vote was recorded in the transcript.

Details: The society requested $2,000 from a $5,000 community-grant fund. Studemaker said four homes were already committed in Grandview Heights for the 2025 tour and the group was seeking additional participants.

Next steps: Director Miller (city staff) said she would follow up with the society to coordinate details. The historical society will use the grant to offset Tour of Homes costs and related preservation programming.