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Capital Fundraiser for New Building

April 4, 2016

Monday, April 4, 2016

A big day here at the Kelch Aviation Museum, as we officially launch our capital fundraiser for our new museum building!

kelch-museum-renderingOver the past year, the Alfred & Lois Kelch Charitable Trust has helped fund the property purchase next to Brodhead Airport and we have made continual updates to our collection of vintage aircraft and automobiles. We’ve made improvements to the property itself in anticipation of launching this capital program. In total, over $300,000 has been spent to get the Kelch Aviation Museum to this point, where we can confidently begin the fundraising process in earnest. The Kelch Museum directors have pledged or donated significant funds themselves, which is a testament to their belief in this project.

The new museum building, along with interior outfitting is expected to cost right around $1 Million. With the investments already made by the Trust and other significant donors, we believe we can raise the remainder by the end of 2017 and begin the building process at that time.

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We have structured the fundraising process around several themes, including sponsorships of certain areas of the building and particular displays, including:

  • Main Hangar Door $25,000
  • Staff Offices and Equipment $25,000
  • Aviation Art Gallery (Pat Packard and other artists) $50,000
  • Landscaping, Fencing & Gardens $25,000
  • Library (Manuals, Books, Artwork Storage) $50,000
  • Brodhead Airport Exhibit $50,000
  • Travel Air Exhibit (4000, 12Q & 12W) $50,000
  • Pietenpol Exhibit (Scout, Aircamper, Fords & Corvairs) $50,000
  • Monocoupe 70 Restoration $60,000
  • Automobile Display Wing $100,000
  • EAA Chapter 431 Meeting Area $125,000
  • Main Hangar Space $250,000

Also, donors may elect to “Buy an Orange Cone.” This is our twist on the ubiquitous “Buy a Brick” fundraising program. Al Kelch created the process for manufacturing the classic orange traffic cone and we honor that invention with engraved, personalized cones for donors of $250. Donations of $1,000 are recognized with the donor’s name engraved on our Leadership Wall, and $2,500 donors may choose an engraved Charles Lindbergh statuette.

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We invite you to read about the museum’s history and future plans in our fundraising brochure, which you can request HERE.

Join us in making the Kelch Aviation Museum a reality at Brodhead Airport. And please contact us with any questions you may have.