Fundraising for a new YMCA facility in Eugene just got a big boost.
Philanthropist Betty Soreng got 335 Y supporters to match her $500,000 challenge grant through the Oregon Community Foundation. It gives the capital campaign $1 million.
Brian Steffen is the Y’s CEO. He says nearly half of the pledges were from first-time donors. Organizers plan to roll out a timeline for the 70,000 square foot facility - including a groundbreaking date - next year.
"We are excited to break ground as quickly as possible," Steffen tells KLCC.
"We also have a commitment we’ve made to the state, that we have the rest of the funding packaged together by January of 2021.”
The estimated cost for a new YMCA is $ 34 million.
Steffen declined to share what the current fundraising total is, saying there are more donations expected.
$15 million in state funding was awarded in July.
Copyright 2019, KLCC.
