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Bank of America
Charitable Foundation contributes $1 million toward Museum of
Discovery and Science Capital Campaign
Grant enables Museum to move forward on first phase of
renewal project,
helps create Visitor Pavilion at Museum’s entrance
February 27, 2008 Fort Lauderdale – The Museum
of Discovery and Science today received a $1 million grant from
the Bank of America Charitable Foundation in support of the $20
million “Building New Pathways to Discovery” capital campaign.
Ken Lewis, the Chairman and CEO of Bank of America, announced
the grant during a reception and capital campaign update, which
included the unveiling of plans for the new Visitor Pavilion in
the Museum’s Grand Atrium.
The first phase of the new expansion project will open up the
existing lobby area for programming and expand the popular
“Discovery Center” children’s area with new interactive water
play exhibits. The new Bank of America Visitor Pavilion is
expected to be completed in late 2008, enabling visitors to
purchase tickets, obtain program and membership information, and
make reservations for future events before entering the
renovated lobby.
During the reception, Kim L. Cavendish, Museum President/CEO,
thanked the foundation for its contribution to the Museum’s
capital campaign. Joining her in expressing their appreciation
were Jonathan Ferrando, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the
Museum of Discovery and Science; Jack Seiler, Florida State
Representative and Museum Board Member; Mark Maller, Broward
Market President for Bank of America; and various community
leaders and Museum supporters.
Cavendish said, “I am extremely pleased that Bank of America is
supporting our capital expansion and renewal project with this
generous gift. The new Bank of America Visitor Pavilion will
assure easy access to visitor services and create space for
science demonstrations that will enhance our visitor experience.
This wonderful gift also meets the terms of the $1 million
challenge issued to us by JM Family Enterprises recently, and
actually generates $2 million dollars for our campaign.”
This grant is a great boost to the Museum’s three-year, $20
million capital campaign to fund an expansion of the Museum that
will effectively double its public space. The expansion plan
includes a 27,000-square-foot EcoDiscovery Center wing. This new
wing will offer exhibits that will be dedicated primarily to
Florida’s environment, including interpretation of its unique
ecology, the Everglades, and the impact of humankind,
hurricanes, and climate change.
“Organizations like The Museum of Discovery and Science play a
critical role in helping create a vibrant community.” said Ken
Lewis. “Not only does the museum serve as an economic engine,
attracting tourists and other businesses to the area, but each
year the organization engages thousands of young people in
interactive environmental, science and engineering education. At
Bank of America, we recognize that the future Ft. Lauderdale and
Florida’s economic flexibility and adaptability, particularly in
high-paying industries such as biotechnology, space exploration,
and information technology, benefit from institutions like this,
which is why we are so pleased to support this community
treasure.”
Today’s grant announcement is the latest chapter in the Museum’s
25-year partnership with Bank of America and its predecessor
banks. Through philanthropic and sponsorship support, the bank
and foundation have contributed more than $820,000 to the museum
since 1983. Bank of America established the Hammock Theatre at
the museum, providing a multi-functional space for meetings,
lectures, video screenings, and birthday parties. Additionally,
the bank is entering its thirteenth year as the title sponsor of
the museum’s Bank of America Wine and Culinary Celebration, an
evening of progressive wine and food pairings from 30 of South
Florida’s top restaurants and chefs. This annual event helps
raise funds for the museum’s educational programming.
The Museum’s “Building New Pathways to Discovery” campaign is
being jointly chaired by the following distinguished community
leaders: Jon Ferrando, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the
Museum of Discovery and Science; Tom Angelo, Esq. of Angelo and
Banta, P.A.; Keith Koenig, President of City Furniture; Terry
Stiles, Chairman/CEO of Stiles Corporation. To date, over $14.5
million has been raised in support of the project.
Since the “new” Museum of Discovery and Science opened in 1992,
nearly 7 million people have been entertained and educated with
interactive and immersive exhibits, engaging educational
programs, larger-than-life films in the AutoNation® IMAX®
Theater, and a live animal collection. The new EcoDiscovery
Center wing will feature interactive exhibits with a special
focus on the Everglades’ rich and fragile ecosystem and how
global environmental change is affecting Florida, as well as an
iconic indoor/outdoor fresh water otter habitat. Other
highlights include a simulated airboat ride through the
Everglades and a high wire gravity bicycle. The expansion will
also include laboratory/classrooms that will increase the
Museum’s capacity for classes, camps, and school programs.
BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY
Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the
communities it serves, Bank of America is in its fourth year of
achieving an unprecedented 10-year goal to donate $1.5 billion
to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and
vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the
Bank of America Charitable Foundation will give more than $225
million in 2008, making the bank the most generous financial
institution in the world and the second largest donor of all
U.S. corporations in cash contributions. Bank of America
approaches giving through a national strategy called
"neighborhood excellence" under which it works with local
leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of
individual communities. Through Team Bank of America, bank
associate volunteers contributed more than 650,000 hours in 2007
to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide.
For more information about Bank of America Corporate
Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.
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