WINTHROP – Fundraising to renovate and expand the Charles M. Bailey Public Library passed the one-third mark, thanks to new grants and donations that pushed the total raised well past $450,000.
In February 2012, the municipal library announced plans to expand and renovate the historic, 97-year-old library, a project that will cost an estimated $1.35 million. Among the most significant, recent grants:
$94,232 from the Ida A. Morrill Trust, which was dissolved last year when the Morrell Home was sold. Proceeds from that sale have been donated specifically to the library expansion project.
$50,000 from the Windover Foundation.
$20,000 from the Davis Family Foundation, which is based in Falmouth and supports medical, educational and cultural/arts organizations.
$15,000 from the Betterment Fund, a fund created by the will of the late William Bingham II, of Bethel.
$4,000 from the Maine Charity Foundation, which is administered by the Maine Community Foundation.
And, $5,000 from the Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust, based in Portland.
“We are very excited about moving forward with the campaign and have been pleased with the support and response from the Winthrop community, including local businesses and many generous individuals and families,” said Mary Jane Auns, chair of the Bailey Library Trustees. “We also have had success with grant writing and recently have received some sizable awards.”
Auns noted that the library is entering a new phase in its capital campaign and is hopeful that local citizens and families can make donations of $1,000 or more, which can be paid over a one-, two- or three-year period.
Families and citizens that donate $1,000 or more will be recognized with their names on a book binding that will be displayed in the lobby of the new addition. Several exciting, major “naming opportunities” are still available as part of the capital campaign.
Tax-deductible donations may be made to: The Town of Winthrop, Bailey Library Campaign, P.O. Box 580, Winthrop, ME 04364.
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