$1.1M Pledged Towards “Now More Than Ever” Campaign in Providence, RI

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
March 29, 2025

Providence, RI – On Saturday, March 29th, the strategic campaign team of The First Unitarian Church of Providence announced that over $1.1 million dollars had been pledged during the quiet phase of the project.

Community members came together to celebrate the official launch of the “Now More Than Ever” campaign with a fellowship dinner dance. The fundraising effort will support necessary upgrades to the Church’s Historic Meeting House, Auditorium, Kitchen, and Parish House Parlors.

Members enjoyed a festive decades-themed dinner dance hosted at Temple Beth El, which featured family-style dinner, a DJ, dancing, and activities for youth,

“This is a threshold moment in the life of our historic congregation. We are very aware of how much our church matters within and well beyond our own walls and we are excited for what this campaign will make possible for countless people,” said Liz Maclay, Senior Minister.

The “Now More Than Ever” Strategic Campaign is overseen by the First Unitarian Prudential Committee, and Campaign Steering Committee, chaired by First Unitarian Past-Presidents Hillary Salmons and Bill Twaddell, and Reverend Liz Maclay.

In addition to expanded accessible seating in the Meeting House, the campaign includes a renovation of the Parish House Kitchen, Historic Parlors, and upstairs Auditorium. The Auditorium updates will feature state-of-the-art lighting and visual components, updated, flexible seating, and a wheelchair lift to access the stage.

Eric Welch, the Campaign Director from James D. Klote & Associates said, “We have raised half of the campaign goal from approximately 10% of the members. This fantastic group of people is poised to truly be a long-term leader in the city of Providence.” The strategic campaign is scheduled to continue until the remaining members have had their own personal visit from a friend from the church.

JDK&A is a full-time, on-site capital stewardship consulting firm with offices in Falls Church, Virginia, Chicago, Toronto, and Los Angeles. Volkart May, a market research firm in Minnesota, recently ranked Klote & Associates as the #1 church consulting firm in the United States.