Help Norwich meet The Kresge Foundation Challenge by making an online gift today. If you’re already registered with the University’s Online Community, just click here and fill out the online form.

If you’re not registered yet with the Online Community, you can make a gift online as a guest, or you can register as a member using your ID number provided by Norwich. It only takes a few minutes! You can get your ID number by calling the Alumni Office toll-free at 1-877-485-2019.

Scroll down for frequently asked questions about The Kresge Foundation Challenge.

The Kresge Foundation, a national leader in building institutional capacity at nonprofit organizations, has approved a $500,000 challenge grant to Norwich University for construction of the Wise Campus Center. To meet the challenge, Norwich must raise more than $2.2 million in new gifts and pledges restricted to the campus center by December 31, 2007.

One of the most prominent grant-making institutions in the nation, The Kresge Foundation helps universities, hospitals, and other nonprofit organizations expand and strengthen their base of support through new and increased contributions for capital projects. The process to receive a grant from The Kresge Foundation is extremely competitive. In their review process, Foundation staff members and Trustees evaluate an organization’s financial stability, existing base of support, vision for growing that base, commitment to diversity, and other factors.

The key element of the challenge is how Norwich University will leverage support for the Wise Campus Center to expand its base of donors who will support the institution – through ongoing financial support and volunteer service – long after the construction project is complete.

“With the aid of this challenge grant, we hope that your campaign can become an even more strategic opportunity for you to connect with your stakeholders and reach out to new donors, volunteers, participants, and the general community,” said Rip Rapson, President and CEO of The Kresge Foundation. “Your compelling plan to sustain the higher levels of giving after the campaign concludes will help strengthen your organization well into the future.”

President Richard W. Schneider expressed his appreciation for the challenge grant and encouraged all Norwich alumni, faculty, and staff to take advantage of this opportunity to bolster the University financially and to increase the level of volunteer engagement.

“That we have received this challenge grant from a highly respected foundation through a competitive process should make everyone in the Norwich Community very proud,” said President Schneider. “We are going to make a real effort to get our younger alumni involved in this challenge, because they know better than anyone the need for a modern campus center.”

Norwich Forever! campaign chair Pierson Mapes '59, termed the challenge grant an inspiration for all Norwich alumni to support construction of the new campus center.

“This is a special opportunity for Norwich to construct a top-flight facility that will improve the student life experience while also involving more alumni in the long-term growth and strengthening of our University." Mapes said. "But it’s critical to remember that we must raise the entire $2.2 million to receive the challenge grant.”

The 71,500-square-foot Wise Campus Center is a major component of the five-year, $55 million Norwich Forever! campaign. Norwich broke ground on the new campus center in May 2006, and the building is scheduled for completion in August 2007. With a total price tag of $20.5 million, the facility will be constructed through a combination of private gifts, bonds, and operating funds.

In addition, Norwich has begun $4.5 million in related infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of new underground power lines and steam pipes that will serve the campus center and other buildings.

The Kresge Foundation, based in Troy, Michigan, is an independent, private foundation created in 1924 by the personal gifts of Sebastian S. Kresge. The Foundation is not affiliated with any corporation or organization.

Through its grantmaking programs, The Kresge Foundation seeks to strengthen nonprofit organizations by catalyzing their growth, connecting them to their stakeholders, and challenging greater support through grants.

In 2005, the Foundation awarded 212 grants totaling more than $131 million to organizations in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, and Mexico.

To learn how you can help Norwich meet the challenge from The Kresge Foundation, please contact Chrissie Eastman at advancement@norwich.edu or (802) 485-2307.