Swannanoa Valley Museum - Capital Campaign

Campaign Funding Objectives

Securing the Roof & Structure		$150,000
Renovation & Expansion of Historic Firehouse		$1,385,000
Exhibits & Exhibit Space		$274,000
Archititectural & Engineering Fees		$111,000
Contingency (12%)		$230,000
Subtotal for Construction Expenses		$2,150,000
Operations Sustainability Fund (3 years)		$255,000
Campaign Related Costs
Campaign Administration		$75,000
Financing Expense		$50,000
Allocation for Unpaid Pledges		$50,000
Total Expenses		$2,580,000

Chart of Gifts Necessary to Achieve a Campaign Goal of $2.5 Million

Pledge Amount	Number of Pledges	$ Amount at this Level	Number of Pledges	Pledge Total
$500,000+	1	$500,000	1	$500,000
$250,000+	1	$250,000	2	$750,000
$150,000+	1	$150,000	3	$900,000
$100,000+	3	$300,000	6	$1,200,000
$75,000+	4	$300,000	10	$1,500,000
$50,000+	5	$250,000	15	$1,750,000
$25,000+	6	$150,000	21	$1,900,000
$15,000+	10	$150,000	31	$2,050,000
$10,000+	22	$220,000	53	$2,270,000
$5,000+	27	$135,000	80	$2,405,000
$2,500+	40	$100,000	120	$2,505,000
$1,000+	45	$45,000	165	$2,550,000
Under $1000	50	$30,000	215	$2,580,000

Detailed Scope of Work & Funding Objectives Description

Securing the Roof & Structure

This work includes installing a new roof, roof insulation, flashing, parapet, copings and brick re-pointing. In 2006, the Swannanoa Valley Museum was awarded a grant from the Janirve Foundation in an early phase of the campaign. The Museum has received permission from the Janirve Foundation to use this grant to complere what amounts to the emergency shoring up of the historic building, rendering it safe and protected to undergo the further renovations and expansion that are planned.

Renovation & Expansion of Firehouse with Rear Addition

The scope of work here calls for:

Replacing the present rear addition with a new three-story structure. The ground floor of this space is designated as a Community Room, a place for public use as well as for Museum programming.

Returning the entrance to the original Smith design giving access from the east side of the building. An attractive entrance area is planned.

Expanding into the alleyway that runs along the east side of the building for restrooms, storage, an interior lift between main and second floors, and other mechanical equipment.

Excavating the rear of the building to create new lower level floor space which will significantly increase the usable square footage in the Museum.

Replacing the upstairs floor, plumbing and wiring.

Exhibits & Exhibit Space

The architectural design for the interior calls for:

Open, clean, well-lighted space in which to exhibit the over 5,000 artifacts and photographs in the Museum's collection.

Room for both permanent and traveling exhibits which will invite visitors to the Museum.

At the rear of the upper floor, an office suite and workroom is planned, with adequate workspace and facilities for conservation and storage of artifacts.

The design of exhibits and layout of the Museum will reflect the informal personality of the Swannanoa Valley and the vernacular collection of the Museum. Additionally, a new logo and color scheme have been developed for the Museum and will be used in the new interior design.

There may be some technological equipment used, although plans are for exhibits to be attractive, well-lit, with labels and signage that is easy to read, without being overdone or out of the character of the Valley. A professional exhibit designer will be retained to achieve the desired effects.

Architectural & Engineering Fees

Stephens Smith Farrell has been retained as the architect on the project. Formerly of Black Mountain, now with offices in Asheville, Farrell is experienced in historical preservation projects, including serving as one of the architects on the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. In addition to his fee, other engineering fees include structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing. Together, these fees are estimated to run approximately 7% of the cost of construction. Sutton-Kennerly & Associates, Inc. has been retained to serve as the structural engineering firm on the project.

Contingency 12%

With construction prices escalating due to the present building boom in Buncombe Country, this contingency is included to cover possible increases in building materials. Also, when renovating a building as old as this one, "expect the unexpected" is a good rule of thumb. As the interior is deconstructed, hidden problems may be revealed.

Operations Sustainability Fund

The Museum operated as an all-volunteer organization from its inception in 1989 until the hiring of a part-time administrator in 2001. It has always been a self-sustaining entity, and expectation are that this will continue to be the case, as it is widely supported within the community.

The new Museum will be more than a place of exhibit. Its expanded programming and community involvement, combined with the influx of new residents in the valley should dramatically increase membership rolls, number of volunteers, and general public support. The size of the facility will nearly double, which will lead to increased utilities and maintenance costs, and staffing will need to be increased somewhat, although volunteer staff will continue to be essential.

It is suggested that when it re-opens, the Museum will be headed by a full-time director, aided fully by a full-time administrative assistant / receptionist, a part-time collections manager and a part-time education director. Increased revenues will support these inccreased expenses as outlined in the business plan, but it may take some time to grow into the new level of staffing and services.

Thus the inclusion in this plan of Sustainability Fund to support operations for the first three years after the renovations are complete and the Museum re-opens. With this major investment in the physical plant, it is imperative that the future operations are also protected.

Campaign Related Costs

The captial campaign will be adminstered by professional fundraising counsel, Sims & Steele Consulting of Asheville, whose cost will be paid in part with funds already raised. Other campaign related costs include a part-time campaign administrator, materials, events and gatherings, travel, mailings and grant-writing.

Interim financing may be needed to begin the project as not all the pledges will have been received at the time construction commences. Since historically, in a campaign such as this, some pledges may remain unpaid, an additional allocation has been included in the budget.