NOVEMBER 26, 2009 ISSUE
Banner Elk Foundation Steps Up To Challenge
In late August of this year, the Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation (GBEHF), which operates the Banner House Museum, received an extraordinary gift—a $100,000 matching contribution.
Saved from the wrecking ball in 2006 and completely restored by the GBEHF, the 19th century home of Henry Banner, one of Banner Elk’s original settlers, is a historical gem of the small town, with a $200,000 mortgage.
“We are delighted to share the good news that Marti and Wayne Huizenga, on behalf of the Diamond Creek Corporation, have contributed $100,000 in the form of a challenge matching grant to help our foundation pay off the museum’s mortgage,” said Mary Elder Frisbie, president of GBEHF. “The Huizenga’s generous gift will assist us in greatly reducing our operating expenses and free up funds to expand our programming.”
As a catalyst for fundraising, the Huizenga challenge is apparently working. “We have raised nearly $70,000 in matching funds since August,” Elder said. “Matching contributions have come from our 143 members who have gone beyond their annual support making additional contributions and we are fortunate to have the financial assistance of the area municipal tourism development authorities, small family foundations, businesses and local organizations.”
“Marti and Wayne Huizenga supported the museum in its infancy, too,” said Banner Elk Mayor Deka Tate. “They have a sincere interest in preserving the heritage of Banner Elk.
They are quietly generous, not boastful philanthropists.”
The Town of Banner Elk has contributed $10,000 in annual gifts to the museum from its general fund, according to John Majeski, town manager. “The museum is unique, an important asset, and the wonderful matching gift is an opportunity for the museum to become self sufficient,” he said.
Open from mid-June to mid-October, the museum attracted 1,200 visitors this past season, doubling the attendance of the previous year. In addition to cash contributions, many of the museum’s period furnishings were gifted or loaned to the museum by generous local citizens.
Elder said that we can’t stop now; we still need $30,000 to match the gift.
If you wish to help out, mail a tax-deductible contribution to GBEHF, PO Box 2261, Banner Elk, NC 28604.
To learn more about the museum click to www.bannerhousemuseum.org.
For more information about the matching grant campaign, email info@BannerHouseMuseum.org.
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