Building Towards a Sustainable Future

You Belong Here is a comprehensive, ambitious capital campaign to address major areas of the operations and capital improvements that are essential as we position ourselves for the future. We are grateful to those that have already contributed, allowing us to revitalize the Bet Shalom Yeladim playground, for example, ensuring the safety of our most precious community members. We are confident that there will be a similar strong return on your support and investment in so many ways.

With a growing congregation and the need to address the very real demands of a physical home – our home – we are at a critical moment in our history. The last time Bet Shalom conducted a major fundraising campaign was more than 20 years ago, we when raised money to build our wonderful building in Minnetonka. It was a well-organized and successful effort to make a permanent home for our congregation. Since that time, several hundred new member households have joined Bet Shalom, expanding the need for the administration of our mission, including a full-time Cantor, an experienced Executive Director, and an expanded early childhood center.

The areas of focus are deliberate and strategic.

Sustainable Vitality $2.7 Million

These are the areas that allow us to exist and to function, and most importantly, provide the support and engagement that make us Bet Shalom.

• Mortgage Debt Retirement: decreases our annual operating expenses by over $100,000.

• Solar Panel Project: reduces our carbon footprint while decreasing annual electrical costs by $80,000.

• Development Director: expands member donations through active cultivation and stewardship, while attracting grants from foundations and state and federal sources.

• Member Engagement Director: Actively recruits new members to the congregation, thereby growing the areas in which members make donations to the congregation.

• Salesforce Project Completion: Maintains the data that drives decision making to support membership and development.

• 2022 High Holiday Appeal: Addresses the current year operating budget in a holistic way, eliminating the need for an additional fundraising request this year.

Bayit Shelanu (Our House) $1.2 Million

At the same time, we have an aging facility that requires investment to sustain the quality of our programs and impact on the entire community. The roof, HVAC (heating and cooling system), and parking lot are expensive components of our physical plant, and they’re all approaching the need for replacement. Further, a capital reserve fund must be established, enabling us to address building needs as they arise in the future.

Bet Shalom is our house – just like your house – with repairs that any 20-year-old building would need.

• Roof Replacement. Our roof is 22 years old and leaking in various places. The replacement cost is $225,000.

• HVAC Upgrades/Replacements. The HVAC system has surpassed its projected life span and is running inefficiently. The upgrades/replacements cost is $300,000.

• Parking Lot Repaving. Our parking lot is also 22 years old and is starting to crumble. The replacement cost is $190,000. • Furniture, Fixtures, Building Upgrades. We have furniture and fixtures in disrepair that needs replacement, along with

upgrades to the building that will help ensure its longevity. Those estimated costs are $150,000.

• Capital Reserve Fund: ensure that we are positioned and ready for “the next big unknown”, we will create and maintain a $250,000 capital reserve that can be drawn upon in the event of a major need in the building and on the grounds.

How You Can Contribute

Regardless of the size of your donation, you can choose to target your investment into one or more of the three areas of the campaign: Sustainable Vitality, Bayit Shelanu, depending on where your passions lie. We can also set up a pledge plan to be paid over the course of three years.

To discuss your donation, please contact Campaign Chairman, Adam Cohen.

Adam Cohen, Chair of You Belong Here
Adam.Cohen@betshalom.org