The Campaign For Nassau Church

Here you will find important materials outlining The Campaign for Nassau Church, a $5 Million fundraising effort that will enable us to begin Phase I implementation of the Building Master Plan. On Sunday, May 6, we proudly kicked off this transformative endeavor and announced that nearly $2.5 million had been committed to date. We hope to reach our goal in the coming months and need your help to get there. Pledges will be accepted throughout the summer and we will celebrate together in the fall.

We invite you to review the Campaign brochure( click here),

Phase I renovations, funded by The Campaign for Nassau Church, have already begun! Work will continue throughout the summer and in the coming years. Check back often for updates..
View the progress of the renovation here:
On the lower level, click here
On the Main Floor, click here
On the Second Floor, click here
On the Third Floor, click here

and to prayerfully consider making your own personal commitment to The Campaign for Nassau Church. Please download, complete and return the pledge card (click here.)

Thank you for your generosity!

Bob Hilkert & Debbie Toppmeyer, Campaign Chairs

Bill & Judith Scheide, Honorary Campaign Chairs

David A. Davis, Pastor

Campaign Cabinet:

Will Allen, Jim & Nancye Fitzpatrick,
Kim Kleasen, Allen Olsen, Bill & Martha Sword, John Thurber, Lauren Valvanis

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the campaign goal?
The Campaign goal is to raise $5 million by late spring 2012. Based on the Building Master Plan, the overall cost for renovations will be in excess of $8 million. The goal for this campaign is to raise $5 million, which will fund projects identified for Phase 1 implementation. We will also allocate 10% of monies raised in support our of mission and outreach partnerships.

If the Campaign wraps up before summer 2012, does that mean I need to fulfill my pledge by then?
Although the active phase of the Campaign itself is only 5 or 6 months, the payout period for pledges is 4-5 years. Therefore, if you make a pledge today, you can choose to fulfill it over the next 2, 3, 4 or 5 years. This enables you to consider a greater gift than if you paid it all at once and also coincides with the cash needed to fund the projects in the coming years.

How will we fund the second phase of the Master Plan Implementation?
After the first phase is completed, the Church will re-evaluate the needs of NPC, confirm the implementation timeline and budget, and move into a second campaign.

Who is leading the campaign?
This effort is being led by Campaign Co-Chairs, Debbie Toppmeyer and Bob Hilkert and  a Campaign Cabinet, which includes Honorary Campaign Chairs, 9 members of the congregation (listed above), and an internal working team comprised of Dave Davis, campaign counsel, and other key staff members.

How will participation affect annual stewardship pledges?
It is our hope that members of the congregation appreciate that there are two aspects to providing for the financial future of Nassau Presbyterian Church. One is capital and the other is operations. Both capital and operations are necessary and both require our support. It is our hope that members will continue with their annual pledge while making a stretch gift to the campaign. In fact, while the Campaign has experienced great success to date, we have not yet met our numbers for the 2012 operating budget and are asking that members without annual pledges consider this before making a gift to the Campaign.

How can a pledge be fulfilled? 
A pledge can be fulfilled in several ways, including cash, gifts of stock and planned gifts.  The success of the campaign is built on pledges, payable over time.  Gifts can be pledged and paid over three to five years on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.  Outright gifts, paid in full, are also gratefully accepted.

How was the goal of $5,000,000 determined? 
A campaign planning study was completed in fall of 2011 that sought to determine the feasibility of raising a significant amount of money for a number of capital improvements to the Church’s facilities.  The results of the study indicated NPC should initiate a multi-million dollar campaign to address the needs tested in the study.

How will the funds be invested if we exceed our goal?
If the generosity of our members helps us to surpass our goal, the excess funds will enable the Church to begin the implementation of Phase 2 projects sooner than anticipated.

What is included in the $1.6m project on the third floor?
Because we are landlocked here at 61 Nassau Street, we are limited in where we can gain additional square footage. However, on the third floor, we will expand the classrooms over the current second floor roof space. This will give us additional space that will not only be fully renovated, but also flexible space that can be used not only for Sunday School and youth group, but for programs for all ages. The project will also include the installation of a small elevator which will ensure accessibility. In addition to the expansion and elevator, we will install rest rooms on the third floor.

Will we have to worship somewhere else while the Sanctuary work is being done?
No. Fortunately, the pews will be taken out in stages, a few at a time over the quieter summer months, so that the seating capacity is not greatly affected. This way, we will have a chance to watch the renovations in progress as we come back to worship every Sunday. While we will lose a handful of seats due to the pew reconfiguration, we will be removing the center barriers and adding seating in the balcony which will nearly balance out the number of available seats.

Why are we putting money into offices and administrative space?
If you come into the building during the week, you know that any visitors must wait in the hallway before a meeting with one of the Pastors as there is no true reception area. It is important to our leadership and our members that anyone visiting Nassau Presbyterian Church be welcomed appropriately. Also, as we install new bathrooms, reconfigure the reception area and relocate certain rooms, we will be forced to move some of our administrative offices. However, with the proposed plan, this move will actually bring all of the pastoral, program and administrative staff together in two office suites rather than scattered throughout the building.

When was the last Campaign at Nassau Church?
In the mid 1980’s, Nassau Presbyterian Church conducted a capital campaign which funded the renovation of the Palmer Square building and the addition of the office wing. In the 25 years since the last upgrades, only emergency repairs and superficial cosmetic work, painting and carpeting have been done. Clearly, it is time to invest in our church so that it can serve our congregation and also enable us to serve others today and for generations to come.

What is the most important project being funded?
By design, the projects chosen for Phase I implementation of the Building Master Plan will impact all constituent groups at Nassau Presbyterian Church and no one project is considered more important than another. The data from the Campaign Planning study, combined with the response to date has taught us that, because many years of research and conversation were invested in the planning for this Campaign, we successfully identified the projects that would best update and care for our building while also preserving it and leaving our legacy for future generations.