Each year since 1988, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has identified 11 of America's most endangered historic treasures. The list includes individual buildings, landscapes, and whole communities, both urban and rural. The trust explains that "the list spotlights places across America that are threatened by neglect, insufficient funds, inappropriate development, or insensitive public policy." In 1998, 10 years into the program, the National Trust grouped every single Historically Black College and University (HBCU) into one endangered national treasure. Unfortunately, this endangered national treasure, the cultural resource for many communities across the country, is slowly slipping away. In this article, the authors suggest that HBCU presidents must learn to use preservation planning as a tool to leverage new resources, new partnerships, and new grant funding. They should encourage their senior staff to look for creative ways to attract foundation grants for preservation and sustainability as well as federal grants for maintaining and readapting older properties for new uses. Integrating a historic core campus closely interwoven with the legacy of the institution is a successful way to build broad support among incoming students, alumni, and local community leaders. (Contains 4 figures and 1 note.)