News Review
Old Administration Building gets $800,000 boost by The Kresge Foundation
Contact:
Gurdeep Sihota
Executive Director
State Center Community College Foundation
559-307-5499
The State Center Community College Foundation today announced the approval of an $800,000 Facilities Capital grant from The Kresge Foundation towards the effort to restore the Old Administration Building at Fresno City College. The funds were awarded to the A Legacy Renewed capital campaign and will greatly assist the college complete renovations to the historic auditorium in the 92-year-old structure.
Under the conditions of the grant, The Kresge Foundation requires that the Foundation raise the balance of the funds needed to complete the project and reach campaign goals. This means the Foundation will be required to raise an additional $1.6 million dollars in order to receive the grant. To date, the Foundation has raised over $2.4 million of its $4 million goal.
“We are pleased to support the renovation of the Old Administration Building. Kresge and the State Center Community College District share the common values of access to low-income persons, community impact, and diversity and we are delighted to be part of this effort,” said Rip Rapson, President and CEO of The Kresge Foundation.
The Kresge Foundation is a national, private foundation that seeks to influence the quality of life for future generations by creating access and opportunity in underserved communities, improving the health of low-income people, supporting artistic expression, assisting in the revitalization of Detroit, and advancing methods for dealing with global climate change.
In 2007, the foundation awarded 283 grants totaling $178.5 million. The majority of awards were made to nonprofit organizations in the United States, with 10 grants going to institutions in Canada, Mexico, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
“It is a great accomplishment for the college to be acknowledged in this manner by the Trustees of The Kresge Foundation,” said Dr. Tom Crow, Chancellor of the State Center Community College District. “This is a validation of the efforts put forth by Fresno City College in its service to our students and the future of the community.”
OAB: A Legacy Renewed
Construction to renovate the Old Administration Building is now underway and will bring the building to its original appearance and use. The OAB is scheduled to open for use in 2010.
The structure, completed in 1916, was the first permanent building of Fresno Normal School, the forerunner of California State University, Fresno. It became Fresno City College’s permanent home in 1956. In 1974, the OAB was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Measure E bond, approved in 2002, provides the majority of the funds needed to restore the building, but additional funds are necessary and FCC began the A Legacy Renewed Capital Campaign to raise an additional $4 million to complete the building’s auditorium.
Information regarding the A Legacy Renewed capital campaign can be found at www.oabalegacyrenewed.com or by calling 244-5991.
State Center Community College District
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