Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 6, 1 Iune 1987 — Maui Arts Center Gets A & B Challenge Grant [ARTICLE]

Maui Arts Center Gets A & B Challenge Grant

The Maui Community Arts & Cultural Center received a major challenge grant of $250,000 from Alexander & Baldwin ine., a paee setting gift specifically designed to encourage non-profit community groups to participate in a fund raising campaign for the Center. The grant will match dollar-for-dollar all gifts made to the Center, according to A & B Chairman, Robert J. Pfeiffer. The challenge of $250,000 wasaccompaniedby an outright gift of an additional $250,000 towards the Center's construction. "This important gift comes at a crucial time as we make our plans to create a campaign for the Center," said Masaru Pundy Yokouchi, President of MCACC. "A & B's commitment of a possible total of $500,000 will help us attract other major gifts." "This gift gives us an excellent start," Yokouchi said. "In addition, the challenge grant provides us with an incentive to gain the broad community support we will need to be successful." A task force is being structured to carry out eampaign plans to raise approximately $5 million needed to complete the project, according to Yokouchi. Pfeiffer called on all Maui residents to get behind the project and help raise the necessary funds. "Alexander & Baldwin will help by matching (the $250,000) dollar-for-dollar on all donations to the Center made between now and the end of 1988," he said. More specifically, he said A & B will match funds raised for the Center by non-profit community groups, as well as the first $5,000 of cash donations by individuals and businesses. "This grant is specifically structured to encourage maximum community participation in the fund raising effort. lt also leaves room for other businesses and foundations to create similar incentives with their gifts." He compared the project to other public-private joint ventures "whieh have provided projects that improve the quality of life for everyone on the Valley Island. This project will do the same," he said. The Board of Directors has acquired an architectural team of professional planners to work with the people in designing a building to suit the needs of the community.