OSV Fundraising Secures $1M Challenge Grant
Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge said its two-year fundraising drive has brought in $1.83 million for the museum.
The "living history museum" raised $834,000 in new donations, which qualified it for an additional $1 million matching grant from an anonymous donor who had challenged the museum in October 2006 to increase donations to its endowment and annual fund.
The donor offered a 2-for-1 match for funds raised in 2006 and an equal match for 2007.
Matched Up
Jim Donahue, who became president and CEO of OSV in mid-2007, said in a statement that the donations toward the challenge grant came from hundreds of individuals and museum members, as well as from foundations and corporations.
"We have tremendously loyal base of supporters, and this success is a real testament to their faith in this institution," he said.
The news of the challenge grant comes on the heels of a $1 million state grant the museum received in 2006 secured by Sen. Stephen Brewer, D-Barre, and Rep. Todd Smola, R-Palmer. That grant has been used to upgrade exhibits and fund building maintenance and infrastructure improvements to many of OSV's historical buildings.
The museum also recently received a $200,000 grant to support its education efforts.
The successful fundraising effort comes as good news for supporters of OSV, which has struggled in recent years to maintain itself as a draw for tourists. For fiscal year 2006, OSV reported a more than $868,000 loss, according to IRS documents.
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