2-Year Fundraising Contract Needed for 311 Arts Capital Campaign

Lansdale Borough will be spending money to get money.
Borough Manager Timi Kirchner informed the public during a Monday night reveal of 311 W. Main business and building plans that she will be recommending council approve a two-year contract with a fundraising firm.
The purpose is to develop and lead a capital campaign to raise money to make 311 Arts self-sustaining.
Kirchner said Monday that she did not know how much the contract would cost Lansdale, but would update the public with such information at Wednesday's council work session.
"It shows we are willing to invest in ourselves," Kirchner said.
The firm would develop leadership, strengthening 311 Arts' mission, communicate on and cultivate activities, solicit private donations and manage the overall campaign.
"Throughout my career, I have been on a number of nonprofit board of directors, and have engaged in many campaigns," Kirchner said. 
"It's a lot of work," she said. "It will take a highly specialized group to get it done right."
Kirchner said 311 Arts will welcome people to engage in all genres of art and fine art, thus becoming a beloved spot to meet families and friends. 
Mayor Andy Szekely commented that there needs to be a target for private fundraising.
"The borough has already put in $3.8 million. Will there be a match from the public sector?" he said.
Councilman Denton Burnell corrected Szekely after the meeting that the borough has not voted to spend any money on 311 Arts. The $3.8 million is an estimated figure for cost of refurbishment, Burnell said.
Kirchner said public versus private fundraising will be determined with the help of the fundraising firm.
"It takes a while to set up a capital campaign, and you have to do it carefully," she said.
Resident Richard Strahm, who sits on the 311 steering committee, said the return on investment for the taxpayer with 311 Arts is the same as a return on investment for a public park, like Memorial Park or Stony Creek Park.
"Imagine the borough without (parks). Imagine if we said we all have to have a return on investment so taxpayers can get their money back," Strahm said.
"We have to invest in this to make the community better," he said. "311 is (a) cultural park. It is the responsibility of us as the Lansdale society to invest money in this cultural park."