This summer, the South Haven Community Foundation (SHCF) launched a matching grant fundraising campaign to assist the Museum in reaching their financial goal and begin construction on their new Maritime Heritage Center building this fall. The SHCF agreed to match up to $45,000 of community donations for a total of $90,000. The Museum reported that they had such support from the community that they not only reached their goal but exceeded it and all before the match deadline of September 30, 2021. In response to the match success, SHCF President Roger Beglin said, “The Foundation is honored to support and be a part of this monumental endeavor. Meeting our goal in such a short time is a testament to the giving nature of our community and the importance placed on the Museum, its growth and its legacy.” The Museum broke ground for the new facility in late August and expects completion early summer of next year. Completion of the building is part of Phase I in a two-phase project totaling $8 million. So far, the Launching a Legacy campaign has successfully raised $7 million towards their goal. Museum Executive Director Patti Reinert says, “Our community has stepped up in such an enthusiastic way, and this match has energized all those involved! We are so grateful to the SHCF and all of the many donors who are truly Launching this Legacy. This demonstrates that we have wonderful people who desire to not only care for this place we all love and enjoy today but are willing to invest for the next generations to follow.”
For more information on the Launching a Legacy campaign and on how you can help the Museum, visit:
www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org/launching-a-legacy.
