GIFTS IN KIND

In-kind gifts: making a huge difference

There are times when an individual, group or business is in a position to donate gifts in kind that make a huge difference in our ability to maintain and enhance our facilities. Gifts like these are what have allowed many other badly needed projects, large and small, to  go forward. 

If you have a business or work for a business that’s looking for a win-win way to support the community, we’d like you to get in touch with us to explore our needs and the type of resources you might contribute.  Together, we can do great things.

Here are a few stories of how in-kind gifts have made a huge difference at Friendship Ventures.

Extraordinary  generosity allowed long-held dream to come true
Renovation of the dormitory at Eden Wood has created a large, new central lounge area—now a popular spot for games, music and group get-togethers—as well as small, private sleeping rooms and smaller lounges in each wing. The upgraded building includes large accessible restrooms and showers, ramp entrances, both heat and air conditioning, especially important  for those whose health conditions require a climate-controlled environment.

The great room of the dormitory renovation project at Eden Wood Center

The final outcome is a better residence, allowing Friendship Ventures to serve more participants, to house those who use wheelchairs and to increase programming in winter. All this in a building that’s  fully accessible,  beautiful, comfortable and inviting year around.

We are exceedingly grateful to the Minneapolis Building & Construction Trades Council and affiliated union trades for their gift of $400,000 in labor and materials, the Lions Club International Foundation, local Lions Clubs and countless other donors for their extraordinary generosity, which allowed this long-held dream to become reality.

One big day at Camp Friendship
When Camp Friendship was due for an extensive renovation that would include painting of nearly all cabins, shingling of numerous buildings, paving of walking trails, etc., more than 300 ING Bank employees stepped up to the plate offering to spend a full day of service. Not only did they get the painting, shingling and paving done, but they did other jobs that ranged from pulling buckthorn to deep cleaning cabins inside and out and washing nearly every window on campus.  Their employer, ING Bank, had generously donated $100,000 to cover the cost of paint, shingles and other materials required for the job.

The day the ING team arrived, the company president commented that he was amazed that more than 70 other businesses had also stepped up to the plate by providing a large portion of the supplies necessary while many other volunteers with skills ranging from professional trades to labor joined the effort.  When all volunteer labor, materials and cash gifts were tallied, the total value of the renovation day turned into over a quarter of a million dollars, while a good portion of ING’s cash gift was left over to be used as seed money for the renovation of the dining hall. 

That seed money inspired others like Midwest Asphalt, which provided all the cement work, and Mark Putzy, his company and vendors he contacted in our behalf provided the walk-in refrigeration and freezer units. Still others came forward to help out, like recently retired contractor Stan Hillestadt, who took on substantial responsibilities as the volunteer project manager, saving us $40,000 or more.