The Peaks and Valleys of Fund Development From Chris Chapin-Tilton Director of Development Written in 2002

I don't need to make a trek to Great America this summer to ride a roller coaster! In the past few months, raising funds for the arts and historic preservation in Iowa has provided all the peaks, valleys, and excitement I've needed.

You probably read in the Telegraph Herald about the Grand's plight when our largest "bricks and mortar" grant to date - over $62,000 to replace our entrance doors - was almost pulled due to state budget deficits. Special thanks to the many friends of the Grand who contacted area legislators on our behalf. We're pleased to report that the state funding for our lobby restoration remains intact after all, and our construction plans are continuing.

Grant Update
We're pleased to report that the Grand has been awarded the following grants in the last three months:

* Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors through the National Trust for Historic Preservation - One of the NTHP's most competitive and prestigious programs, the Mitchell fund provides seed money to help leverage additional funding. Since only 15 Mitchell grants were given across the nation in '02, we're extremely pleased that the Grand was awarded $7,000 to develop a comprehensive interior restoration plan.

* Dubuque Racing Association - A total of $25,000 was awarded: $15,000 for lighting upgrades and $10,000 for restoration expenses.

* The Fred Maytag Family Foundation - An award of $35,000 has been given to assist with the interior restoration. Located in Newton, Iowa, the Maytag Foundation has been in existence since 1945. Special thanks go to the Maytag family for including the Grand in their philanthropic endeavors this year.

* Iowa Community Cultural Grant - An award of $10,000 has been given to help defray the costs of building the new Grand sign.

Historical Update
I've been asking area people to submit stories of the Grand's past if they have information available. Not only have I heard a few good stories, I've also received some wonderful Grand and historic theater memorabilia. Special thanks go to Bob Woodward, Jr., Larry Friedman, and Frank Buol for sharing their information, copies of historic plays, and other items. They will be wonderful additions to the Grand's historical display case, which is planned for the foyer after it's fully restored.

The Grand's National Register of Historic Places nomination is currently working its ways through the multi-layered review process. Our request for a national significance rating received unanimous approval by the review committee in Des Moines prior to it being submitted to the National Park Service. Like most people, you're probably wondering…"so???"

The National Register is the federal government's official list of historic properties worthy of preservation. The National Register listing has three levels of historic significance: local, state, and national. The higher the level of significance, the more promotional and funding opportunities that are available to the property.

The Grand's case for national significance is based upon our original architect Willoughby J. Edbrooke, who also designed many of the original Ellis Island buildings in New York's harbor and the old U.S. Post Office Building in Washington, D.C. Our final NRHP review will take place this fall.

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