Home for ASOR—Challenge Gift Update (May 19)
ASOR’s New Home, named in memory of James F. Strange
When ASOR was established in 1900, our office was one large room in a Jerusalem hotel. During the past 119 years, we have dramatically expanded our scholarly capacity and public outreach—both abroad and in North America. By 1925, we built a permanent home in Jerusalem. Yet in North America, we moved frequently, from one host institution to another. Now, it is time for ASOR to establish an independent headquarters to serve our broadened constituencies. In January 2018, we set the goal to of raising $1.5 million to purchase, furnish, and maintain an enduring home for ASOR in Alexandria, VA—our Board having determined that the Washington, D.C., area is the location of greatest strategic benefit to our mission.
As of May 19, 2019, we are thrilled to report that we moving ever closer to our goal! Indeed, over a period of thirteen months, ASOR’s generous friends donated almost $1 million in gifts and pledges to the Building Fund. Buoyed by these donations, we purchased an office building (named in memory of James F. Strange) located at 209 Commerce Street in Alexandria. We started moving in on March 20th, we closed on April 24th, and our materials from the Boston Office arrived on May 4th (see article on the move)!
We are also thrilled to report that a new challenge gift of $450,000 will ensure that ASOR meets and even exceeds our $1.5 million goal. Yet, We need to meet two challenges to “earn” this additional $450,000:
- First, we need to demonstrate that we are all behind the purchase of ASOR’s new home and ASOR’s other initiatives by securing “450 for $450,000”: that’s 450 donors donating $10 or more to ASOR in this fiscal year (July ’18-June ’19). As of April 2nd, we have reached 240 donors, so we need gifts from 210 more individuals, companies, or organizations.
- Second, we need to match the challenge of $450,000 by raising $225,000 in new gifts and pledges (made after February 1st), or $1 for every $2 of the donor’s gift. And we are well on our way, as we have received pledges of $163,000 in the past three and half months—so we only need $62,000 more.
How You Can Help. We are almost there! If you have not already made a gift, please consider joining the “450 for $450,000” campaign by donating to ASOR before June 30, 2019 (all gifts, including programs other than the building qualify). If you have already pledged or made a gift to support our new home, please think about increasing your gift or pledge to the building so that we can raise the last $62,000 needed to qualify for this $450,000 challenge.
To recognize your support, we offer naming opportunities at the following levels:
- Naming of conference room or floor = $300,000
- Naming of an individual office (sizes vary) = $100,000 – $250,000
- Name recognition on smaller office spaces = $25,000 – $99,999
- Name on plaque recognizing major donors = $10,000 or more
- Name on a plaque recognizing all donors at “brick” level or higher = $250 or more
OTHER WAYS TO DONATE
| Donate By Phone | Donate By Mail | Make A Pledge (Donate Later) |
|---|---|---|
| Call ASOR: 703-789-9229 |
ASOR 209 Commerce St. Alexandria, VA 22314 |
E-mail ASOR |
