Urban Grace
AWARDEE PROFILE:
Urban Grace
The building that is now home to Urban Grace was constructed in 1925 as First Baptist Church. It is the oldest, continuously occupied Christian church in Tacoma, Washington, the only church in Tacoma’ s downtown core, and is listed on the Tacoma Register of Historic Places. In 2005, First Baptist reincorporated as an ecumenical new church development called Urban Grace, a dynamic and growing congregation with broad support in the city for its active collaboration with many local organizations.
The building is architecturally significant as a fine Gothic Revival example, and is the only“ skyscraper” church in the Northwest. It was designed with multiple stories of leasable space in addition to space for the congregation. Urban Grace regularly shares its space with more than 15 social service and arts organizations resulting in steady earned income and many opportunities for collaboration.
In 2017, Urban Grace launched a capital campaign for projects related to the preservation of the building and interior improvements to make the facility more accessible and usable by the community.
Services received as part of Urban Grace’ s National Fund program package include:
congregations over four program years, beginning in 2016-17. An ideal National Fund candidate demonstrates:
●National or Regional Significance: buildings with architectural, historic, and cultural importance, or excellent examples of a building type( e. g., small town churches in New England, or Catholic churches that tell the story of immigrants in America) owned by an active congregation. Buildings must be listed or eligible for National Historic Landmark or National Register of Historic Places status.
●Broad Community Engagement: congregations with innovative programs that serve members and nonmembers, with special emphasis placed on congregations that share space and partner with other nonprofit organizations, and plan to make the most of the sacred place as a community asset.
In partnership with University of Washington’ s MedEx physician assistant program, Urban Grace’ s Community Breakfast Program hosts a monthly foot care clinic for the homeless. Photo: Dennis Raymond
● Capital Campaign training( which was delivered by Partners to a total of 9 Fund participants).
● $ 4,700 Planning Grant toward architectural and planning documents and campaign design / website development.
● Consulting Services and Campaign Coaching. Partners’ consultants conducted a feasibility study focused on community donors beyond the congregation’ s membership. In this case, services are being coordinated with a local fundraising consultant hired by the congregation focusing on member donors. In addition, Partners consultants provided coaching regarding the campaign steering committee and other matters.
● A capital grant is being awarded later in 2018.
●Need for Funding: urgent repair needs that require financial support beyond the internal capacity of the congregation. All projects must respect the historic character and materials of the building( s) and adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’ s Standards for Rehabilitation.
●Campaign Readiness: the capacity to leverage this grant to raise matching funds, and the experience, energy, and opportunity to complete a significant capital fundraising campaign. Matching funds must be raised after being awarded participation in the National Fund.
●Congregational Health: congregations with strong clergy and lay leadership, financial health, and the energy and judicatory support for a vibrant future. Ideal candidates are prepared to learn and capitalize on resources and expertise provided by the National Fund.
SACRED PLACES • AUTUMN / WINTER 2017-18 • 5