PORT TOWNSEND — The Northwest Maritime Center has until the end of the month to raise $100,000 in private donations so it can receive additional grant funding of $1.1 million.
If the goal is reached, the newly opened educational facility will complete its projected $12.8 million building campaign.
“We’re pretty excited about meeting this goal,” said Executive Director Stan Cummings of the center at 431 Water St., in Port Townsend.
“I am optimistic that we will raise the money we need.”
Cummings acknowledged that “$100,000 is a lot to raise,” but said that several people who have contributed in the past are being approached for pledges and that fundraisers expect some to step up at the last minute.
“Some people who have supported us for a long time have indicated they will kick in,” Cummings said.
The grants include $500,000 from the Kresge Foundation, and $600,000 from the Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Once the pledged money is collected, the center must complete a lengthy documentation process before the grant money is awarded.
Repeat donor
One of the latest repeat donors to the Center’s capital campaign is the Camilla Chandler Family Foundation, which is based in Los Angeles but has close ties to Port Townsend.
In 1999 Chandler was the very first donor to the nascent campaign to launch the center, and contributed $1 million for the Chandler Maritime Education Building, which is named in her family’s honor.
Earlier this month, she sent an additional $75,000 check.
“She and so many others realize that we’re so close and we’ve come so far, let’s not let this opportunity slip away,” said Cummings of Chandler.
“Once the campaign is over, we can all turn our attention toward realizing our mission at this wonderful new campus.”
The center first opened its doors in the fall, and is gradually opening other modules.
About $350,000 is being spent locally with Jefferson County contractors who are building custom interiors for the new center, according to publicist Shelly Randall.
Both the library and a combined boat repair parts store and gift shop will open by May 1, Cummings said.
About 60 percent open
About 60 percent of the 27,000-square-foot maritime heritage educational facility is open for public use 24 hours, seven days a week.
This includes the courtyard and second story decks, from which all vessel traffic is visible.
It is also the first non-governmental building on the North Olympic Peninsula to earn a “gold” certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED.
The fundraising effort reflects a high-stakes situation.
If the center raises the additional $100,000, it will release more than 10 times that amount.
If it fails, it will lose $1.1 million and, as a result, not make its goal.
“We still have to close the deal or we will lose $1.1 million,” said board President Steve Oliver. “We’re leveraged 10 to 1 now, so there is no better time to make a gift.”
Cummings said economic conditions and global events — such as the recent Haiti earthquake — have conspired to make fundraising more difficult.
“It’s harder than it was a year ago,” he said. “But our timing was good. We started the fundraising before the market crash. If we had waited another month we might not have been as successful.”
Anyone wishing to pledge can visit www.nwmaritime.org or phone 360-385-3628, ext. 111.
