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Tampa Bay History Center Receives $1 Million Grant

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By MIKE SALINERO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 26, 2008

TAMPA - The Kresge Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to the Tampa Bay History Center being built in downtown Tampa.

The Kresge challenge grant was given to the history center for its approach to earning donor support and "engaging a diverse community through inclusion in the exhibit and program planning process," said the center's president and chief executive officer, C.J. Roberts.

"The Kresge grant process is very rigorous," Roberts said. "To be awarded a challenge grant of this amount is an exciting and inspiring accolade that speaks highly of our project."

Kresge challenge grants are awarded to organizations engaged in campaigns for construction as well as acquisition or renovation of existing sites. To receive the money, the history center must raise the remaining $6 million of its $32 million, private-sector capital campaign goal before April 1.

Hillsborough County has already committed $17 million to the project, and Tampa has donated the 2.4-acre waterfront site valued at $2.5 million.

The History Center is scheduled to open in December on Garrison Channel. The 60,000-square-foot museum will start with 30,000 artifacts when it opens. The museum recently acquired the largest collection of antique Florida maps in the state, some dating to the 1600s. The largest collection of Seminole Indian artifacts now in private hands will be donated to the center by the Charlie Knight family.

The Kresge Foundation is a $3.9 billion private foundation. The foundation was established by Sebastian S. Kresge in 1924 for "the promotion of human progress." The foundation has financed schools, libraries, community centers, hospitals, art museums and food banks. Last year, the foundation approved 442 grants totaling $178 million.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303 or msalinero@tampatrib.com.

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