"Charting the Course" Capital Campaign seeks to exceed $10 million goal

MOBILE, Ala. - The National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico ? now known as GulfQuest ? announced today that the Charting the Course Capital Campaign has generated more than $7.6 million in private-source donations for the project.

The campaign's goal is $10 million, and the maritime museum will continue to solicit contributions from individuals, families, corporations and foundations as the City of Mobile constructs the museum?s building at Mobile Landing. Through the campaign, GulfQuest is raising funds to underwrite the museum?s exhibits and infrastructure.

"We are tremendously grateful to every individual and organization that has contributed to the campaign thus far," Tony Zodrow, Executive Director of GulfQuest, said. "Breaking ground on the museum?s building will allow us to continue the campaign's momentum and enable us to reach - and perhaps even surpass - our goal. Through this campaign, we are bringing together those who wish to honor and celebrate the rich maritime heritage of Mobile and the Gulf Coast."

The Maritime Museum launched the campaign in June 2007, with over $6 million in gifts and pledges from corporations, foundations and individuals. The campaign's lead gift of $1 million was provided by the McLean family - Miss Clara McLean and the sons and daughters of Malcom and James McLean.

In addition, significant gifts have been provided by Alabama Power Foundation, Atlantic Marine, Bender Shipbuilding, Cooper/T. Smith, The Crampton Trust, The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, ExxonMobil Corporation, Hearin-Chandler Foundation, International Shipholding Corporation, Mobile Gas, The Monte L. Moorer Charitable Trust, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Peebles III, The Propeller Club of Mobile, Mrs. Dorothy G. Radcliff and family, Regions Bank, SSAB North America, The Seamen's Club of Mobile, The Sybil H. Smith Charitable Trust, Admiral and Mrs. William H. Stewart, Wachovia Bank and Whitney National Bank.

Collectively, the Maritime Museum Board of Trustees and professional staff provided gifts and pledges totaling more than $1.2 million, with 100 percent participation.

Lee Moncrief, retired president of Wachovia Bank in Mobile, is serving as Chairman of the Charting the Course Capital Campaign. Cheryl Thompson of Alabama Power and Marietta Urquhart of Heggeman Realty served as co-chairs for the Lead Gifts phase, generating more than $4.8 million in campaign support.
Robbie Baker of Whitney National Bank and Dianne Irby of KBR served as co-chairs for the Major Gifts phase of the campaign, which involved more than 30 volunteers working on the museum's behalf to secure gifts and pledges from businesses and individuals all across the Gulf Coast.

The campaign will conclude with a public phase in 2010, prior to the museum's opening in spring 2011. "Donations of all sizes will be needed to underwrite the museum's exhibits and infrastructure," Zodrow said. "The public phase will provide an opportunity for families and school children to sponsor nautical elements in the Maritime Museum and show their support for the project."

Gifts and pledges are tax-deductible and payable over a multi-year period. For donations of $25,000 and above, the Maritime Museum is offering naming opportunities for specific exhibits, rooms and architectural features. All campaign donors of $2,500 and above will be recognized on a donor wall to be located inside the Grand Lobby.

GulfQuest is a public-private partnership, made possible through collaboration between the City of Mobile and a non-profit organization that is planning the museum and will operate the facility under a long-term agreement with the City of Mobile. The non-profit is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of community and state leaders representing a variety of professional disciplines.

For more information, please contact GulfQuest, with temporary offices at the International Trade Center (251 N. Water Street, Suite 131) in Mobile, at (251) 436-8901 or visit www.gulfquest.org.