More than $3.2 million in funding to be unlocked if goal is reached
By Savannah Wood
Special to the AFRO
In August, Afro Charities launched its Make History With Us! campaign in an effort to raise $350,000 by December 31. The funds will be used towards securing a financial closing for their Upton Mansion redevelopment, which includes a mix of New Market Tax Credits, Federal and State Historic Tax Credits, a temporary bridge loan and governmental and philanthropic support. If Afro Charities is able to meet its goal by December 31, the project will be shovel-ready by spring 2024, allowing for an opening in late 2025. Since August, the organization has raised just over $160,000 from 91 donors, with more donations and pledges on the way.
Afro Charities was awarded the right to redevelop the City-owned Upton Mansion in 2020. Since then, they have launched a successful fundraising drive, attracting philanthropic support from both local and national foundations, including the Mellon Foundation, and grant support at every level of government– including a $2,000,000 federal earmark.
Of the overall $13,300,000 redevelopment budget, the organization has just $1,500,000 left to raise. This year’s $350,000 goal is included in the larger $1,500,000 gap that Afro Charities will continue to tackle following its financial closing and the beginning of construction in early 2024. If the organization fails to meet its goal, both the timeline and budget for the project will likely be extended.
To become a Groundbreaker — a founding donor to Afro Charities’ Make History With Us! campaign — make a pledge or an outright donation of $500 or more at the campaign page here: https://www.afrocharities.org/make-history-with-us.
