BCNC launched the three-year Build a Better Life capital campaign in 2015, aiming to raise $3.5 million for several key initiatives: building the Pao Arts Center, enhancing our innovative services, and building sustainability through building a reserve fund and endowment.You can learn more about the campaign’s goals here.
As we approach the final phase of the campaign, we are pleased to share that we have reached 88% of the campaign goal. Of course, none of this would be possible without the help of our many generous supporters. Click here for an updated list of our leadership donors.
We are even more excited to share what we have accomplished with the initial funds raised. Please see the below updates to find out more.
Thank you for helping families to build better lives!
1. Meet Evolving Community Needs
Since its opening last May, the Pao Arts Center has welcomed over 3,000 visitors. Program offerings include arts and culture classes; six exhibitions featuring Asian American artists of different disciplines and generations; and the Chinatown Presents series which included taiko drummers, Chinese Opera, and theater readings.
2. Enhance Innovative Services
BCNC’s Workforce Initiatives are making great progress. The ESL for Customer Service job training program produces job-ready students for employers such as iShoppes, Bon Me, Uniqlo, the AC Cowen Hotel, and Marriot. Recently, customer service graduates Terry Li and Alice Mei opened the APM café in Chinatown, around the corner from the Pao Arts Center. We couldn’t be prouder of them!
3. Build Sustainability
To date, over 192 donors have made gifts or pledges to the campaign, ranging from $50 to $500,000. Over 30% of the donors have made their largest gift ever for this campaign. Over 50% are new donors of BCNC. In addition to reaching the financial goal of $3.5 million, a primary objective of the campaign is to recruit new donors for future support, and we believe we have done so very successfully.
