Sherry Welch and the St. Agnes Foundation are halfway home.
The foundation recently reached a major milestone in the fundraising efforts for its first major capital campaign.
To date, $11.8 million has been raised in pledges and donations with an additional $1 million being invested in the construction of Hackerman-Patz House, a temporary housing facility for patients of St. Agnes Hospital. In total, the $12.8 million represents more than half of the foundation’s goal of raising $25 million for the hospital’s first comprehensive campus renovation.
“We’re really making progress. Clearly, this is a difficult economy for fundraising,” said Welch, president of the foundation. “To be on track and to have raised half of the money is really gratifying.”
The campaign started two years ago and was intended to be a five-year fundraising plan, but Welch said her expectations have been somewhat tempered given the ongoing economic recession.
“We fully understand that we might take a little longer than [five years],” Welch said.
» Call The St. Agnes Foundation at 410-368-3155, or go to www.stagnes.org
The campaign supports the $179 million renovation project started in 2007 for improvements to St. Agnes’ health care system in Baltimore.
Those improvements include a new patient tower, an enhanced and expanded cancer center, a renovated emergency room, expanded surgical suites, additional parking and access improvements to the St. Agnes campus. It’s the first renovation project in the hospital’s 146-year history.
The $12.8 million includes pledges from Albert “Skip” Counselman, former chairman of St. Agnes Hospital’s board of directors, the Bozzuto Family Charitable Fund, Mary Catherine Bunting, the Middendorf Foundation, the Blaustein Foundation and the St. Agnes Foundation, among others.
“The community has embraced the vision set forth by St. Agnes Foundation’s board of directors, evidenced by the remarkable support we have secured over the past year,” said Barbara Bozzuto, chairwoman of St. Agnes’ Capital Campaign and current chairwoman of the St. Agnes Hospital board of directors.
Welch said the donations have primarily come from Maryland-area donors.
“We’ve really run the gamut in terms of the gifts. Some people have donated $5 and $10, some have donated $2 million and everything in between,” Welch said.
Despite tough fundraising times, Welch believes the Baltimore community will continue to support the foundation’s efforts.
“I love the fact that people feel connected to the project,” Welch said. “I honestly believe that all of us involved have great faith that this is going to happen.”
