The Aliveness Project Announces Challenge Grant Opportunity

Capital Campaign for New Building is Under Way

The Aliveness Project, a leading Minnesota nonprofit addressing the needs of men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS, recently announced a challenge grant opportunity. Proceeds will support the organization’s Capital Campaign.

Randy Hornstine, President of The Aliveness Project Board, said, “A major challenge has been initiated by Still Ain’t Satisfied—A Foundation with Attitude and its trustees, Shayna Berkowitz and Phyllis Wiener. This philanthropic group has contributed $50,000 in challenge funds; subsequently, an additional $50,000 has been pledged—in order to offer a $100,000 challenge to our community.”

The Aliveness Project has purchased a larger building for its new headquarters and program site at Nicollet Avenue and 38th Street in South Minneapolis. Just a few blocks from its current home, the building will offer 12,000 square feet of custom-designed space; full handicapped accessibility; nearby public transportation; and other features that will serve the organization and its members/clients for the foreseeable future.

Joe Larson, Executive Director of The Aliveness Project for the past eight years, noted the serious need for a new building: “The number of people we served has grown exponentially in recent years. Unfortunately, the number of new incidences of HIV/AIDS has been increasing, just as the general public seems to believe the disease has been, at least partially, resolved. This challenge grant led by Still Ain’t Satisfied and its Trustees helps heighten the visibility of the problem and The Aliveness Project’s responsiveness to it each day.”

In 2009 alone, The Aliveness Project served 33,900 meals in its dining room; distributed 87,000 pounds of food and hygiene products via its Food Shelf; offered 30,000 hours of volunteer assistance; and provided a total of more than 5,000 case management and “integrative therapy” sessions. Since 1985, it has served more than a million meals to people living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

The $100,000 challenge-grant opportunity invites individuals of all giving capabilities to have their contributions matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Persons interested in contributing, or with ideas of organizations that may wish to participate, are encouraged to call Tim Marburger, Director of Fundraising and Special Events, for more information at (612) 822-7946, extension 204.