Fund-Raising Goals Seek Many Millions

Capital Projects Planned for Vineyard from Hospital to Town
Libraries Expected to Cost $71 Million

By James Kinsella
Gazette Senior Writer

Few would dispute their worth: the updating of the Martha's
Vineyard Hospital, the architectural restoration of a historic Island
landmark, the expansion of services for residents seeking to recover
from drug addiction.

But they all cost money - often more money than first
expected, as construction costs race upward.

To that end, Vineyard organizations are asking or will be asking
residents and visitors to contribute tens of millions of dollars toward
capital projects scheduled for construction in the next few years.

A list of prominent projects planned on the Island reveals capital
costs of at least $71 million, not counting several other projects that
will add millions to that total.

In many cases proponents anticipate that government and foundation
grants will defray some of those costs. But they also acknowledge that
donations from private individuals are crucial to turn the proposals
into reality.

The money raised so far this summer has been stunning. In July the
Martha's Vineyard Hospital announced that donors had pledged at
least $20 million toward construction of a new hospital, a project
expected to cost $42 million - the most expensive in Island
history. And on Monday, the Possible Dreams Auction in Edgartown brought
in record donations of more than $741,000, up 25 per cent from last
year. The money supports the operations of Martha's Vineyard
Community Services.

But whether the Vineyard community can financially support all these
projects remains to be seen. And given that the Island economy is
experiencing a slowdown, some organizations may be facing more of an
uphill battle.

One factor that eases the burden of fund-raisers is that one
organization often taps a different group of donors than another.

Christopher Scott, executive director of the Martha's Vineyard
Preservation Trust, whose organization wants to raise a relatively
modest $500,000 to restore Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs, said certain
Vineyard projects tend to attract more affluent donors. The drive to
build a new hospital, for example, has drawn pledges from individuals of
$1 million or more. "That's big time," he said.

The preservation trust, meanwhile, turns to a different crowd with
its annual fund-raising dinner and auction.

Here's a review of what's happening with a number of
capital projects on the Vineyard:

Most ambitious is the hospital construction project. The new
facility - which will replace the 30-year-old structure in Oak
Bluffs - would stand three stories tall, is scheduled to include
19 beds, a new emergency room, two operating rooms and space for more
medical services.

By July 1, the hospital had raised $20 million. Chief executive
officer Tim Walsh demurred yesterday when asked for an update.
"We're still working our way through possible donors,"
he said. "It's still very active. We're not really
ready to talk about the money side."

The hospital hopes to raise the rest of the money by the end of next
summer, with construction starting in the fall of 2006.

The YMCA of Martha's Vineyard has proposed building a
43,400-square-foot fitness center on land in Oak Bluffs leased from the
Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.

To do that, the YMCA plans to raise $14 million, of which $3 million
would go to an endowment to provide scholarships. The remaining $11
million would go toward the facility, with $9 million slated for
construction and $2 million set aside for furnishing the structure.

"We're not actively fund-raising now," Vineyard
YMCA president Jan Pogue said Tuesday. "We're in a quiet
period."

The YMCA, however, has organized a capital campaign. The
organization hopes to have raised at least 50 per cent of its goal by
next summer, when it will launch a public appeal for funds. It also
hopes to tap foundation grants to pay for the project.

In Edgartown, fund-raising for the library expansion has stalled
while the project plans are reworked for the town zoning board of
appeals.

Voters, however, already had approved the purchase of the Captain
Warren House and property for $3.5 million. The library also has secured
a $4 million grant from the state to help fund the project, which would
include an addition between the existing Carnegie Library and the
Captain Warren House.

And once approval from the zoning board is secured, the library will
step up efforts to raise the remaining $7.5 million for the project,
library director Felicia Cheney said. The library anticipates half would
come from private donors and half from foundation grants.

Also in Edgartown, the FARM Institute wants to raise close to $4
million for capital improvements at its new location at Katama Farm.

John Curelli, chief executive officer at the institute, said the
institute wants to provide classroom and office space for teachers and
staff; provide staff housing; and build other structures that will
generate revenue, including a farm stand and possibly a creamery or a
beef and lamb facility.

Mr. Curelli anticipates the institute will launch its campaign
within four months.

He also said that the $4 million figure is not cast in stone. The
institute, he said, may seek more money to fund an endowment.

The Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, having
successfully raised $2 million for repairs at the Tabernacle in Oak
Bluffs, wants to raise $2 million more for additional work on the
open-air structure.

Peter Bannon, chairman of the Tabernacle restoration fund, said
association members want to restore the roof and cupola. The association
also is interested in making structural additions, so that the
Tabernacle can better handle larger events.

The good news for the Tabernacle is that the structure recently was
designated a national historic landmark, which Mr. Bannon said will
improve its candidacy for grants from private foundations.

At the library in Oak Bluffs, the bills will keep coming for the
next two decades.

In 2003, Oak Bluffs voters approved a 20-year, $3.8 million bond to
build a 15,000-square-foot library, which is scheduled to open in late
October off Pacific avenue next to town hall.

Karen Achille, chairman of the building committee, said the town
received a $1.56 million grant from the state to help fund the project.
Mrs. Achille said library backers also pledged to raise $800,000 toward
the cost of the project.

She said yesterday that the backers plan to raise the money over the
coming years to help reduce the debt payments and also to enhance
library programs.

Given that the library is owned by the town, Mrs. Achille said,
backers face a hurdle in bringing in money. "It is difficult for a
municipality to conduct fund-raising events," she said.
"It's different from some of the nonprofits."

The Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust, has raised $250,000
toward restoration work at the historic Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs, but
still must raise $250,000 more.

Mr. Scott said the trust plans to restore the steeple, which was
knocked off by the 1938 hurricane, the bell tower and a large amount of
gingerbread detail that was removed over the years.

He anticipates the trust is looking at another year of raising
funds, although he hopes that the project might qualify for a new state
initiative to fund historic structures that draw tourists.

Backers of several more Vineyard projects still in the planning
stages declined to assign dollar goals to their respective efforts.

Almost certainly the biggest such project is the plan of the Dukes
County Historical Society to shift the bulk of its operation from School
street in Edgartown to 10 acres between the agricultural hall and the
Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury.

Executive director Matthew Stackpole said the society has paid off
the $1 million the society spent to buy the property several years ago.

Mr. Stackpole said the society is concerned about getting the
project right - and thus has not set a deadline for starting
construction or set a fund-raising goal. At present, the organization is
working on a master plan for the West Tisbury site.

He anticipates the society will seek foundation grants and private
donations to fund the new facility.

Vineyard House, which provides residential treatment for Islanders
in the early stages of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction,
received approval recently from the Martha's Vineyard Commission
to build a new and expanded campus in Vineyard Haven. Plans call for the
construction of two buildings on a 4.43-acre parcel off Holmes Hole
Road.

The Holmes Hole property is under agreement, though Vineyard House
director Brian Mackey declined to discuss the sale price. He said the
current owner plans to provide financing for the purchase.

Mr. Mackey said Vineyard House also is planning a campaign to raise
money for the project. He anticipates those plans will be completed by
October.

"We will be looking for financial support from Vineyarders and
others," he said.