The Mount Angel Community Foundation
has raised $1.5 million out of the $2 million
needed to begin construction on the new
community building.
To donate: 503-845-6835, by email at
[email protected], or visit
www.mtangelcommfnd.org
The Mount Angel Community Foundation is closer to reaching its goal of raising $2 million to build a new Mount Angel Community Building.
In November, the foundation received a $200,000 grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust and $79,000 grant from the Mount Angel Oktoberfest board, bringing its total to about $1.5 million.
The grants will be used to build the new Mount Angel Community Building that will be designed to serve the needs of local nonprofits, civic groups, churches, schools and allow community members to host events.
It also will serve as a designated emergency shelter in case of natural or other disasters.
For four days in September it will be an entertainment venue for Mount Angel’s Oktoberfest.
Mount Angel Community Foundation Chairman Dave Kohler said the $200,000 grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust represents a major boost for the community building project.
A private, Portland-based foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust is one of the largest 100 foundations in the United States, according to its Web site. The Mount Angel Community Building grant was one of 11 awards totaling $1.34 million made in November by the Meyer Memorial Trust to nonprofit organizations in Oregon.
“The community foundation is very excited to receive this grant, and we are very grateful to the Meyer Memorial Trust for sharing our vision of how this new community building will benefit Mount Angel and the surrounding community,” Kohler said.
Major donations have been received from organizations including The Slayden Community Fund, The Ford Family Foundation, and the Mount Angel Oktoberfest, with significant contributions from local community groups and individuals.
The foundation is awaiting word on other grants as well.
“We have several grant applications pending with a number of large foundations around the state and will continue to pursue funding opportunities and fundraising events to support our new community building,” Kohler said.
Foundation Treasurer Jim Hall said the Community Foundation expects to receive an additional $20,000 in proceeds from the Nov. 13 Fall Festival Dinner & Auction which the foundation co-sponsored with St. Mary’s Parish.
“We are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with the St. Mary’s Parish on this event,” Hall said. “Thanks to the generous support of all the businesses and community members who donated or bid on auction items, and enjoyed a wonderful community dinner, we are now significantly closer to reaching our fundraising goal.”
With the goal of beginning construction on the community building in 2011, Kohler said the fundraising committee plans to contact local business owners and community members to let them know that now is the best time for them to get involved with this project.
“We are nearing our goal, and we just need that extra push from everyone now when it’s so important,” Kohler said. “This building will be a wonderful asset for our community, and everyone in our community will certainly want to help make it happen. Now is the time to join us, and we are so grateful for each person’s help at every level.”
When completed, the new Mount Angel Community Building will feature a Bavarian-style design and improved facilities to host a wider variety of year-round community events.
Construction on the new Community Building is planned to begin in early to mid-2011, depending on completion of funding. The goal is to have the new Community Building ready to host its first Oktoberfest by September 2011.
