Kresge Foundation awards $300,000 challenge

A $300,000 challenge grant to Clarion University of Pennsylvania has been awarded from the Kresge Foundation of Troy, Michigan, for the renovation of Montgomery Hall at Venango Campus in Oil City and expansion of Venango scholarship endowments.

A total of $786,380 has now been raised in private contributions for the project, along with a $225,000 challenge appropriation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Shared Capital program. Clarion University must raise an additional $936,620 in new gifts and grants by March 1, 1998, to complete the $1,975,000 project, to meet the challenge of the Kresge grant.

The total cost of the renovation project, including equipment and furnishings, is $1,775,000 and another $200,000 is being sought for scholarship endowment. The Kresge grant is made on a challenge basis which requires raising the remaining funds for completion of the project.

"We are very pleased with the generous challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation," said Clarion University President Diane L. Reinhard. "The challenge grant recognizes the voluntary support that has already been generated for Venango Campus and encourages additional contributions."

The Kresge Foundation is an independent, private foundation created by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge. It is not affiliated with any corporation or organization.

The renovation of the top two floors of the former residence hall will expand educational opportunities at Venango Campus, providing additional classroom space with expanded areas for nursing, student affairs, the learning center, and two computer laboratories. Interactive television hookups will be extended to at least two classrooms, eight offices will be added, and a fourth floor lounge area will be created for small conferences and small group meetings. Renovations are scheduled for completion in August 1997.

The Montgomery Hall renovations and scholarship endowments are part of the $8 million, five-year Investing In Futures capital campaign being conducted by the Clarion University Foundation. The campaign includes funding for building renovations at both Clarion and Venango Campuses, endowed scholarships, and an endowed cultural series.

At the time of the March 1997 grant announcements, the Kresge Foundation had awarded 32 grants in 1997 for a total of $21,255,000. It will continue to make new grant commitments during the balance of the year.

In 1996, the Kresge Foundation reviewed 699 proposals and awarded grants totaling $87,766,485 to 144 charitable organizations in 40 states and Canada. Grants are made to institutions operating in the areas of higher education, health and long-term care, arts and humanities, human services, science and the environment, and public affairs.

Grants are made toward projects involving construction or renovation of facilities and the purchase of major capital equipment or real estate. Grant recipients have raised initial funds toward their respective projects before requesting Kresge Foundation assistance. Grants are then made on a challenge basis, requiring the raising of the remaining funds, thereby insuring completion of the projects.