I am sure many of you have been waiting for a financial update on how we are doing at this point in time with the fundraising efforts for the Statue of Liberty Plaza project. I was waiting for the most recent figures, so here it is:
As of Wednesday, December 12th:
$13,500 – Funds raised thru Urban Sparks (Net)
$50,000 – Grant from City of Seattle
$10,500 – Prior fundraising balance
$74,000 - Total
+17,000 – Pledges currently identified
$91,000
More funds are continuing to be identified and pledged, so the rest of the money is in process and we could Use Your Help to Make It Happen!
Note: Expenses now accounted for include total $3,673.26 at this point in time. A 7% fee is charged by the fiscal sponsor, printing is already done for all promotional material (10,000 brochures, 5,000 inserts, 144 t-shirts), website expenses, postage & office supplies. No money has been expended for the volunteer time of the Carrs, or their committee members.
We think we are doing very well here and are optimistic that we will be successful in raising the rest of the money to build this design in 2008.
We have been in contact with the Mayor’s office and we are in agreement that we will build as much of this design as we have the money for, so yes, it is very important that we finish raising all the money needed to build this design. We would even like to have a bit left over, just in case for any further contingencies such as adding some backs to some of the benches, a suggestion that came from the Sept. 13th meeting. Also, the existing families with benches at the site now are being offered the option of having one of the new benches in the new design at no charge.
We are now also focusing on names for the Major Donor Plaque for the pedestal ($15,000+), Benches ($5,000) and a new category of Landscape Plaques ($2,000).
In general, we are ramping up fundraising efforts with special Brick promotions (see website www.sealady.org) more print and live media exposure, more internet and blog exposure, a fundraising event at Duke’s on Dec. 27, and just lots more phone calls in general to Statue supporters. We have agreed with staff in the Mayor’s office to wrap up fundraising efforts by January 15, 2008.
So, if you are one of the people whose been planning on buying a brick “one of these days,” that day has arrived! If you want to give a truly memorable gift this Holiday Season, there is probably no present that will last longer.
We know this community has the capacity to finish this project just as we have envisioned it now for 3+ years. Now is the time to step up and demonstrate what we can really accomplish together, and finish this project for generations of people to come.
Thanks, in advance, for your help!
Paul & Libby Carr, Co-Chairs of the SSLPP
www.sealady.org
206-938-8720
1 comment:
Hello to Everyone:
Here is my latest fundraising report: At the end of the evening with Dave Ross, we had raised $106,785 including accounting for expenses to Dec. 27th.
As of today, we have raised another $9375 for a total of $116,160. We estimate we will spend another $5000 in fiscal sponsor and PR consultant fees by the end of the campaign. The amount we now need to raise, net of expenses, is about $45,840.
We very much appreciate the great outpouring of support we are now experiencing from the Alki and West Seattle, and even larger Seattle community. Our phone is ringing (206-938-8720) numerous times each day with offers of volunteer help, people wanting to buy bricks, (and, Yes, the Holiday Special of 3 bricks for the price of 2 is still on!), or inquiries about benches, landscape plaques or being on the Major Donor Plaque on the pedestal.
We still want to encourage company participation as well, which is especially powerful with employee matching funds which is available from many of Seattle’s larger (and smaller) employers.
As an FYI, we are now down to having 5 benches (out of 14) left to sell and 3 landscape plaques (out of 6), so they are going FAST. If anyone out there wants one of these items, please let me know asap. Benches are $5000 and landscape plaques are $2000.
By the way, since some on this Blog think that we are changing careers to do this across the country, read my lips — I don’t think so! Sure, if other communities want to talk with us as they rebuild their sites, they are welcome to call us to hear about how we and our friends and supporters organized a new committee and started the fundraising process here, but they will know best how to restore their own statues. Several communities already have.
In the meantime, if people want to call me for independent insurance services, please do so and I’ll be absolutely delighted to work with you. My practice focuses on personal and group insurance in the form of Long Term Care, Life insurance, Disability Income, Health and annuities.
Thanks and we will keep you posted as we progress and please, call us NOW to make your contributions.
Libby Carr, Co-Chair, Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Project (206938-8720)
Comment by Libby Carr — December 30, 07 4:09 pm
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