The Aliveness Project Reaches Challenge Grant Goal

An important “challenge grant” opportunity was presented to The Aliveness Project earlier this summer. The $100,000 challenge was matched through a large number of donations received by August 31.

The Aliveness Project is a multiservice community center for men and women living with HIV/AIDS and their family members. Best-known for its hot meals and food shelf at its current facility at 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis, the organization also provides integrative therapies, case management, Holiday Baskets, and other support services. Each year, approximately 1,600 individuals benefit from these services, as well as finding a community for building friendships and sharing support with others who are living with this disease.

In May, Shayna Berkowitz and Phyllis Wiener, along with Still Ain’t Satisfied, A Foundation With Attitude, committed $50,000 to The Aliveness Project’s Positive Impact Capital Campaign as a challenge grant to be matched by other foundations and donors. An additional $50,000 was raised by The Aliveness Project to increase the matching grant to $100,000. The “You Give, We Give” challenge was announced in June.

Joe Larson, Executive Director of The Aliveness Project, said, “We are very pleased with the response we received from our community. We received significant contributions from four local foundations, as well as a variety of small to midsized gifts from generous individuals. We will permanently recognize Still Ain’t Satisfied, A Foundation With Attitude and each matching donor in our new building at 38th and Nicollet.”

Randy Hornstine, Board President of The Aliveness Project, noting the significance of this challenge, explained, “We wanted to offer donors the chance to be a part of creating a new home for The Aliveness Project, and this was a vital first step. This process has increased the campaign’s visibility, and is a strong incentive to our dedicated Campaign Committee to find similar opportunities.”

More than $104,000 was received through the challenge. So far, a total of $700,000 has been committed to the Positive Impact Capital Campaign, with a number of requests under review and many additional sources to approach. The campaign goal of $2,500,000 is expected to be reached in 2012.

For more information about The Aliveness Project’s capital campaign, contact Tim Marburger, Director of Fundraising and Special Events, at (612) 822-7946, extension 204.