Monday, November 7, 2011

Milwaukee's St. Josaphat Basilica launches $700k campaign for upcoming projects

St. Josaphat Milwaukee
The St. Josaphat Basilica Foundation, which has raised $10 million for its renovations over the last 20 years, has embarked on a new, $700,000 campaign to fund a number of upcoming projects and build up its reserves.

The projects include interior and exterior lighting, masonry and stained glass repairs and a new sound system, said foundation Executive Director Susan Rabe.

Built by Polish immigrants between 1896 and 1901, the Basilica -- one of only three in the United States at the time -- is considered a cultural and historic landmark in Milwaukee.

“People come here from around the world,” said the foundation’s executive director Susan Rabe, who took on the post in 2009.

The new campaign has already received a $50,000 gift from the We Energy Foundation.

In addition to covering maintenance and repair costs, the campaign drive is intended to reinvigorate the foundation's annual giving, which has slipped over the past five years from $300,000 to $400,000 annually, to about $125,000, according to Rabe.
MJS - Annysa Johnson