Cabell Foundation Challenge Met!

In May 2019 the Cabell Foundation of Richmond challenged Blue Ridge Discovery Center to raise $200,000 through community support for a 1:1 match. What has transpired in less than a year’s time turned out to be worth even more than that. 

Those who have been involved with BRDC for years, along with others who have only just learned about the organization, gathered for fundraisers and other special events throughout the fall and winter in a collaborative effort to support BRDC’s mission and vision for the creation of a discovery center at the base of Virginia’s highest mountains. These private donations were paired with a significant contribution from the Jack Matthews Foundation, meeting the Cabell Foundation’s challenge and resulting in $400,000 raised for the restoration phase (Phase II) of the future Center!

The BRDC property is now showing visible signs of transformation. An old stone staircase found in the hillside along the driveway leads up to the schoolhouse where the window sashes have been removed for refinishing. Inside, a skeleton of the entryway and dining hall is now visible following the removal of deteriorated plaster and lath.

With construction underway, we are now looking ahead to Phase III of our Capital Campaign. This next phase of fundraising for furnishings, interpretive displays, and landscaping will transition these buildings and grounds into the Blue Ridge Discovery Center.

Give the Gift . . . of a Toilet?

Do toilets and door knobs make good gifts? We think so!

This holiday season, when you give the value of one of the restoration items listed below to Blue Ridge Discovery Center, you are making an impact for generations to come. What’s more, these contributions will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Cabell Foundation in support of BRDC’s Capital Campaign for the Center.

Whether you’re fond of the bark siding or cherish the thought of restoring an historic window that will soon overlook children observing butterflies in a native plant community or studying wetland ecology, there is an element and donation value to match your level of support.

When you visit our Donation Page, consider giving the value* of one of the following restoration items for yourself or in honor of a loved one:

·       2 Square Feet of Floor Refinishing $5

·       Square Foot of Staircase Refinishing $10

·       Door Hinge $15

·       Set of Drawer Pulls $20

·       Door Knob $25

·       Square Foot of Plaster Restoration $30

·       Pendant Lamp $35

·       Panel of Bark Siding $50

·       Wooden Chair $75

·       Linear Foot of Exterior Hand Railing $125

·       Dining Table $200

·       High-efficiency Toilet $300

·       Bunk Bed $400

·       Interior Door Restoration $500

·       Window Restoration $600

·       Front Door Restoration $1,500

·       Species Room Sponsorship $10,000**

*These values represent the cost of items and services, and are being used for symbolic purposes only.

**Anyone interested in sponsoring a Species Room is encouraged to contact Keith Andrews at 276.237.3654.

Thank you for your support!

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BRDC is also participating in Giving Tuesday in support of the Capital Campaign for the Center.

Help us spread the word by sharing our website or hosting a Facebook fundraiser on Tuesday, December 3rd!

The Cabell Foundation Grants BRDC Opportunity to Complete Restoration Goal

We are excited to announce that we have recently been awarded a challenge grant that, when matched by donations within the community, will push us to fully achieving our restoration goal for our future Center! 

In 1957, Mr. Robert G. Cabell, III, and Mrs. Maude Morgan Cabell established the Cabell Foundation to support charitable organizations in Virginia through a collective effort with engaged and active communities. The Cabell Foundation recognizes the value of Blue Ridge Discovery Center’s goal to restore the Historic Konnarock Training School into a discovery center at the base of Virginia’s highest mountain, and has awarded us a $200,000 Challenge Grant to be matched by community donors by June 2020 for a combined total of $400,000. Achieving this $400,000 grant and donation match will complete our restoration fundraising goal of $2,250,000 for the Historic Konnarock Training School. At 90% of our goal, we now need your help to finish the restoration fundraising effort! Bringing this project to life will be a tremendous achievement. It will launch Blue Ridge Discovery Center into a new era of impact and directly change the trajectory of Southwest Virginia and beyond.

This challenge grant and the final piece of our restoration fundraising relies on your contribution! It is time to dig deep and determine how much you can contribute. If it helps for personal budgeting, we welcome monthly, quarterly, or multi-year pledges. To give you perspective, we need 200 people to give $1,000. That is a big challenge for both BRDC and our community. Help us raise the challenge match of $200,000 by making a donation today. Every gift counts! Call us at 276-293-1232 to discuss your pledge.

Your personal contribution can come in the form of a one-time cash donation, a financial pledge over a period of time, and in-kind gifts.

Contact Aaron Floyd (276-293-1232) or Keith Andrews (276-237-3654) if you have any questions about the project or about how to make a contribution.

You may also visit https://blueridgediscoverycenter.org/capital-campaign.

Our future discovery center: a residential education facility, interpretive center, and biological field station in one!