From now until June 30, the Sturgis Area Community Foundation will match all gifts made to the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts in support of its Road to Restoration campaign. The campaign hopes to raise $300,000 to support capital upgrades to the now 66-year-old facility.

“Anyone who has spent time at the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts has fond memories of the shows they’ve experienced in the main auditorium or the time they performed on the stage, whether in band, a show or dance performance,” says Sheila Bolda, Executive Director of the Sturges-Young Center for the Arts. “The building on the corner of Nottawa and West Street is more than just four walls and a stage, it is a collection of shared memories and experiences that shape and enrich our lives in a variety of ways.”
The Sturges-Young first kicked off its Road to Restoration in 2019. Since then, campaign funds have enabled a renewal of the main lobby, lounge, and ballroom. Now, after a particularly difficult year due to the pandemic, Bolda and her team are eager to continue making progress on the building’s restoration and plans for the future. This year’s renovations will include upgraded restroom facilities and new projection equipment for both the auditorium and ballroom.

“The restroom renovations are much needed in the time of Covid-19,” says Bolda sharing plans for replacing fixtures with touchless faucets and flush valves to help reduce the spread of germs. “We also plan to make the family restroom more ADA compliant and accessible for patrons with mobility challenges. Enhancing our projection capabilities in both the main auditorium and ballroom space would allow for more film screenings, travelogues, and business presentations, once again engaging the community through our shared love of film and the visual arts. Both projects come with considerable cost.”

To assist the project, the Sturgis Area Community Foundation’s Newell A. and Grace A. Franks Fund will match up to $150,000 in gifts made through June 30.

“Our hope is to engage the community in working together to restore a facility that we all love and hope to see thrive for generations to come,” says Lindsay Aguilar, Executive Director of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation. “We’re excited to offer community members a chance to double their impact with a dollar-for-dollar match.”

To receive a match, contributions to the campaign should be made by June 30th. Gifts can be mailed directly to the Sturgis Area Community Foundation at 310 N. Franks Ave, Sturgis, MI 49091. Online donations may also be made on the Sturgis Area Community Foundation website or by clicking here.

As a resource and leader in local philanthropy, the Community Foundation always seeks to connect local residents like you to meaningful projects and causes you care about. If you are interested in learning more about Foundation funds, programs, or current partnerships, email us at sacf@sturgisfoundation.org.