Share the Spirit Final Report
The Share the Spirit Capital Campaign which officially started in March of 2006 closed its books as of December 31, 2009. $2,560,733 was received from 712 contributors. This represents about 93% of our goal of $2,744,304. Add to that interest and contributions from the Bethlehem Foundation and BLCW and the total received was $2,612,531. After fundraising and campaign expenses, $2,462,059 was available for programs.
How did we spend these resources?
- $1,011,343-to transform West Hall 3rd floor into an exciting meeting place for our junior and senior high youth and to completely remodel Iverson Hall kitchen as well as for new West Hall windows, exterior building cleaning and stone repair.
- $450,000-to launch Jacob's Well, a new congregation in south Minneapolis
- $365,293-for outreach through the English Learning Center, Bee Vang of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in north Minneapolis, Lutheran Healthcare Bangladesh, our partner church San Juan Bautiste in Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina, The Wellness Connection, Lutheran Social Services and the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA.
- $635,423-to pay down the Thrivent mortgage and to help the Operating Fund make the monthly mortgage payment which included both principal and interest.
We could not have accomplished these things without the generous support of Bethlehem members. Bethlehem has been blessed in many ways and we are a much stronger congregation because our members did truly "Share the Spirit." A hearty congratulations and thank you to all!
