MEDIA CENTER SURPASSES
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN GOAL of $2,434,800

TOTAL RECEIVED $2,470,788!   

Grand Rapids, MI – Grand Rapids Community Media Center (CMC) is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its $2.4 million capital campaign. A “last hour” influx of gifts combined with a capping contribution from the Wege Foundation, put the CMC over the top. Success in advance of an October 1st campaign deadline means the CMC has met the conditions set by the Kresge Foundation, and will collect the Foundation’s $300,000 challenge grant.

The official announcement of the campaign’s successful completion was made at a formal press event on Tuesday, October 2nd at Wealthy Theatre.

“We could not be more pleased at the investment and support from the community,” said CMC Executive Director Laurie Cirivello. Surpassing our goal of $2,434,800 means we are able to continue to educate, empower, and advocate for the voices of our community through media, technology, and community gathering spaces. This success will allow us to complete the technical and infrastructure upgrades necessary to ensure a vibrant future for these resources and services.”

In less than three years, CMC collected pledges and donations from more than 400 individuals, businesses, nonprofits and foundations – many of whom made repeat gifts.

Funds from the campaign already have retired the debts that came with the acquisition of the Wealthy Theatre property: a mortgage and other debts that had been incurred prior to CMC owning and operating it. Funds also have paid for significant technological improvements at Wealthy Theatre.  The balance of the donations and grants will be used to complete the theatre work, and make much-needed technology upgrades in CMC’s other program areas: IT services for nonprofits, public access television (GRTV & LiveWire), media production services for local nonprofits, media education programs, and CMC’s community radio station, 88.1 FM WYCE.

The campaign began when CMC, through the vision and leadership of founding director Dirk Koning, agreed to acquire the then struggling Wealthy Theatre and make it a technically advanced urban venue for community use. Wealthy Theatre is a key property in Wealthy Street renaissance district. Koning died unexpectedly in 2005, just before the acquisition plan was finalized. CMC volunteers, board, staff and community friends, made a commitment to go forward with the campaign, and to continue the effort to realize Dirk’s vision.

“We will use a portion of this campaign’s funds to honor the visionary who brought it about,” said Tim Goodwin, president of the CMC board of directors. “The new Dirk Koning Micro Cinema and Peace Garden at Wealthy Theatre will be a fitting tribute to a man committed to spreading the power of citizen media, community and free speech.”