Potsdam Animal Shelter campaign goes on
Recently, the Potsdam Humane Society (PHS) made big news when it was announced we were being considered for $501,000 in federal funding to renovate and expand the Potsdam Animal Shelter.
It has been very gratifying for our board members to hear from those who called or stopped us on the street to congratulate us about this money. It's clear that people understand the need to upgrade our animal shelter, and that you are happy the federal government understands that too.
I would like to clarify what this funding means for our capital project. The actual news is less dramatic, but still very significant.
What has happened is that PHS has applied for funding assistance through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program. This is a combined loan/grant program that provides funds to rural areas for capital projects that meet important community needs. The loan portion provides a very affordable way for nonprofits like PHS to finance buildings while they raise funds over time, and the grant portion helps reduce the amount that needs to be contributed by the local community.
The funds that PHS could receive from this program equal about half of the total cost of upgrading the Potsdam Animal Shelter. The grant portion will not exceed $70,000, meaning that PHS would still need to repay at least $430,000 in loan funding over time (at 3 percent interest) which we can only do with continued community support.
For a group like PHS and for the rural area we serve, this type of federal funding is incredibly helpful. As our current animal shelter is on its last legs, it allows us to build now, when the need is urgent. At the same time, it makes it more manageable for people to give larger gifts in a tough economy, by allowing donors to complete pledges over time.
PHS hopes to receive formal notification from Rural Development by the end of August regarding the details of the Community Facilities funds that will be received. In the meantime, we are continuing our Capital Campaign, and will be knocking on many doors in the coming weeks to invite support for two new giving programs, over 30 naming opportunities and four types of group giving challenges, all of which may be pledged over three to five years.
Our goal remains to raise $750,000 in all. To date, over $365,000 has been committed. Raising another $135,000 in the next few months will assure we can break ground this year, after which only a final $250,000 will be needed to complete this project.
PHS is very grateful to those who have already generously given to the campaign, and we will appreciate a welcome smile and your new or additional support as we continue our labor of love for our animal companions.
To make a donation, or if you have any questions about our building project, campaign or funding, please go to our Web site at www.potsdamhumanesociety.org.
Bonnie S. Boyd
Potsdam
The writer is the president of Potsdam Humane Society Inc.
