By Robert Barron, Staff Writer
Enid News and Eagle
ENID —
A $250,000 Inasmuch Foundation grant has been awarded to Community Development Support Association for redevelopment of the former Newman’s Department Store in downtown Enid as a nonprofit center.
The announcement was made Monday. CDSA already has begun to restore the old department store on South Independence to create a nonprofit center and a center for early childhood resources.
Once complete, the nonprofit center will allow CDSA to house all its services in one location and provide affordable space and services for other nonprofits in the same building, which will reduce operating costs, said Cheri Ezzell, CDSA’s executive director. The early childhood resource center will allow early childhood services to be housed in one highly visible location and make it easier for people to find.
The Inasmuch Found-ation’s grant is a challenge grant and CDSA must raise $250,000 to match the award before the money will be received, Ezzell said.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our supporters to leverage their gift and make a bigger impact in our community,” she said.
“The Inasmuch Found-ation was an early supporter of this project and continues to inspire us with their generosity and faith in our ability to complete this project.”
CDSA received its first qualified matching pledge Monday when Bank of Oklahoma pledged $15,000 toward the new center.
CDSA also received a Mabee Foundation challenge grant for $320,000.
As of Monday, Ezell said, CDSA had raised $1,739,654, excluding the grants and funds used to purchase the building.
She said the goal will not be reached and foundation funds totaling $570,000 will be lost if CDSA is unable to raise $500,000 in additional funds.
“It would be a shame to lose those generous matching and challenge grants. We have been very successful in bringing outside investment into our town,” Ezzell said.
“We need the community’s help now, more than ever.”
