$100,000 Matching Donation Offered
A generous benefactor has offered the Steam Railroading Institute a donation of $100,000 if they can match the contribution. Wow! How often do we get to make a 100% return on our money? Well, the Steam Railroading Institute is able to do exactly that!
If you have been considering making a donation to the Steam Railroading Institute, now would be the perfect time to do it. Simply write “Matching Grant” on the memo line of your check. When we’ve reached $100,000.00, our benefactor will also deposit $100,000.00 into our account to help us in our effort to complete the restoration of the Pere Marquette 1225.
If we can reach our goal, we can expect to double our money almost immediately! So please… if you are willing to support us and contribute to this matching grant, just let us know. We’ll see that your generous donation gets doubled.
Our Location: 405 South Washington St., Owosso, Michigan 48867. Phone: (989) 725-9464
Tickets and Information: (989) 399-7589
Valentine Train Excursion
Saturday, February 11
Regular Coach – $50, First Class – $99 (tickets on sale now)
Enjoy a romantic train ride with your partner from the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, MI to the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant, MI. You can ride Coach which includes a cash bar, $20 in casino play and $5 food voucher at the casino. You can also ride First Class which includes a cash bar, $20 in casino play, $5 food voucher, and hors d’oeuvres & champagne on the train for the return trip. Must be 21 to ride. All sales are final, no refunds.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER TICKETS TODAY
The Campaign for the Steam Railroading Institute/Restoration of Pere Marquette #1225/ The 1225 Club
If you would like to help the Steam Railroading Institute in its upcoming Capital Campaign by making a donation, please click on the link below. Beginning in 2010, the Steam Railroading Institute will begin Phase I of this campaign, which is designed to match a federal surface transportation grant administered through the Michigan Department of Transportation, which will support the restoration of Pere Marquette #1225 to operation. The entire campaign is designed to support the continued operation of the Institute and #1225 for the coming years. Thank you for your donation!
UPDATE: November 22nd
The Steam Railroading Institute recently announced its Capital Campaign to insure the future of SRI and the return to steam of Pere Marquette #1225. A multi-year project, it is designed to insure the sustainability of the organization in its mission for years to come. The first phase of this project, known as the “1225 Club,” allows donors and supporters of the #1225 to make one time pledges of $1225 to support the match for our surface transportation grant, which may be pledged over two or three years. Pledges made be made through our paypal link below. For further information, please email us at tjgaffney@mstrp.com.
Since the silent portion of our fundraising began earlier this year, SRI has achieved the following milestones:
2010 MAJOR MILESTONES
March 2010 – Awarded Conditional Commitment of Federal Highway Fund Transportation Enhancement Grant, to be administered through the Michigan Department of Transportation. This grant awards SRI $347,000 in matching dollars upon the raising of a $283,000 match.
April/May 2010 – Works begins on the disassembly of #1225 in preparation for its 15-year FRA inspection. Tubes and flue removal begins, and appliances are removed from cab of locomotive.
June 2010 – Through its Non-Profit Capacity Building program, the Cook Family Foundation of Shiawassee County awards SRI nearly $25,000 towards establishment of a capital campaign through the hiring of consultants in both non-profit finance and fund development, and allowing SRI to join a handful of organizations as “Capacity Building Champions.” See details here: Cook Family Foundation Capacity Building Champions
Work continues on #1225 disassembly — by the end of June, approximately half of the nearly 270+ tubes and flues are removed. Ultrasounding of the firebox of the locomotive begins.
July 2010 – SRI is awarded a $30,000 grant by the North American Railway Foundation towards the afore-mentioned Transportation Enhancement Grant, to be used specifically towards firebox work for the #1225. Flue and tube removal on the #1225 is completed; Superheaters are stacked and stored away for later testing and eventual re-installation.
September 2010 - SRI passes a milestone, having received nearly $25,000 in member and private donations towards the match. Including the two afore-mentioned grants, nearly $80,000 has been raised to date. Ultrasounding of firebox continues, and interior of boiler shell is sandblasted.
November 2010 - SRI announces the #1225 Club, allowing members to pledge $1225 towards the match for restoration for the Pere Marquette #1225. Announced via Constant Contact, this club raises nearly $26,000 in pledges in three weeks, pushing total funds raised over the $100,000 mark.
In addition, Rosie Marie Bjorkland, in memory of her husband John Bjorkland, donates his book collection to the Steam Railroading Institute, with the understanding that whatever material is not retained for SRI’s own collection should be sold to help fund the #1225 Project.
In short, as we near the end of a very fruitful year, much work has been completed towards the disassembly of the engine and the funding of the match for the locomotive’s restoration, but much has yet to be completed. Won’t you help us make this dream a reality.
DO YOU BELIEVE?
