A Home for ASOR—January 2019, Update
When ASOR was established in 1900, our office was one large room in a Jerusalem hotel. During the past 118 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. Our goal is to raise $1.5 million to purchase an enduring home for ASOR in the Washington, D.C. area—a location that is of greatest strategic benefit to our mission.
Why Washington. D.C.? A home for ASOR in the Washington, D.C. area will facilitate our engagement with federal agencies and Washington-area higher-education associations that foster the scholarship of our 2000 dues-paying members and 72 member institutions. This home will enhance our communication with government partners, Washington-based international organizations, and foreign embassies that support our members’ and our cultural heritage teams’ overseas research. This home will strengthen ASOR’s interactions with colleagues in other learned societies that are Washington-based and will provide ASOR with a national and international platform from which to launch improved outreach programs that will increase public understanding of the Near East and wider Mediterranean.
The ASOR Board of Trustees has identified Alexandria, VA—a hub of non-profits with easy access to downtown Washington—as a location where we can find an office building within our price range.
How Can You Help? Between February and November 2018, we raised $750,000 in gifts and pledges to support the purchase of our new home, and generous end-of-the year (2018) donations have now brought that total up to $929,600. With the help of loyal friends and members like you, we know we can keep this momentum going and raise our total goal of $1.5 million over the next four years — or even sooner! Naming opportunities exist at the following levels:
- Naming of building = $1,000,000
- Naming of conference room or floor = $300,000 – $500,000
- Naming of an individual office (sizes vary) = $100,000 – $200,000
- 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
