Nonprofit organizations like OakBend Medical Center have launched capital campaigns for improved facilities.[/caption]
What we reported OakBend Medical Center launched Vision 2020—a $10 million fundraising campaign to improve the Jackson Street facility. Another Richmond-based nonprofit, Texana, is launching a $12 million capital campaign. Texana serves individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism and is raising funds for a new campus.
the latest OakBend Development Director Alicen Swift said the campaign will remodel the facility to make spaces more like its Acute Care for the Elderly unit, which she said is a warmer environment that encourages healing. “We’re seeing great response and great outcomes for our patients there,” she said, adding that on average hospital stays are two days shorter than in other hospitalization situations. Texana is planning a new campus on 14.65 acres in Fulshear on FM 359. Tracy Shaw, director of development and community relations, said the campaign would fund the campus in three phases. Phase I, at a cost of $1.5 million, entails building a retail training center and coffee shop. Phase II, at around $5 million, would build a center for children with autism to accommodate children waiting for services at Texana’s other Fort Bend County locations. Phase III involves building a learning center for adults with disabilities or autism in a college-like setting where individuals learn working skills. The cost of Phase III is expected to be $5.5 million.
What’s next Swift said OakBend has raised $2.25 million since May of 2015. A portion of the funds have been used for landscaping and painting the facility. Texana’s campaign started in September and has so far raised $80,000, Shaw said. Shaw said once the money is raised, Phase I would take about seven to nine months to complete. Texana selected Fretz Construction to do the work on the project, Shaw said. She estimated if fundraising goes well in 2017, the project could be complete in three to five years.
This story is one update from The January Issue. View the full list of 5 things to look for in 2017 here.
