Nearing The Finish Line: The Latest On Sugar Loaf, Inland Seas Fundraising Campaigns

The Leelanau Conservancy has less than $1 million left to raise in order to make good on its promise to acquire and preserve the beloved Sugar Loaf property. Similarly, the Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) is about $1.2 million from the end of a $11.1 million fundraising campaign that will allow it to grow its campus in Suttons Bay. Fresh off a summer when these two campaigns were among the biggest news to break in Leelanau County, the Leelanau Ticker checks in for status reports and next steps.

Leelanau Conservancy/Sugar Loaf

The project: On July 17, the Leelanau Conservancy shared the news that it would be acquiring 285 acres of the dormant Sugar Loaf property, with plans to reopen the land as a four-season public recreation area. At the time, the Conservancy had raised $6.4 million toward an $8 million goal, with a deadline of December 31 to come up with the remaining $1.6 million.

The update: “We're in a really strong position right now,” Leelanau Conservancy Executive Director Tom Nelson shares with The Ticker. “As of August, we've raised about $7.2 million toward our $8 million goal, so we're getting close to the finish line. It's exciting to see how much momentum we've built.”

Since moving beyond the initial quiet phase of the campaign, Nelson notes the Conservancy has been “seeing gifts of all sizes,” something he says “really speaks to how much Sugar Loaf means” to the local community. “Folks are stepping up in whatever way they can, and that collective support has been something incredibly special to witness,” he says.

Next steps: While Nelson says all eyes are on the New Year’s Eve fundraising deadline, he notes the Conservancy has numerous events planned this fall “for folks to learn more and get involved,” starting with the Conservancy’s annual “Fall for Leelanau” week of events from September 22-28.

“[That week] will wrap up with our Harvest celebration, where we’ll have a panel discussion with Conservancy staff and friends about our approach to balancing conservation with recreation – which directly ties into our vision for Sugar Loaf,” Nelson says. “And we’re really excited that Here:Say is hosting a Sugar Loaf-themed storytelling program in November.”

ISEA/Campaign for the Future of Great Lakes Education

The project: In June, ISEA announced an ambitious plan to expand and revitalize its campus in Suttons Bay. The cornerstone is the purchase and renovation of the neighboring Millside building, which will be converted into additional educational space as well as a boat storage and maintenance facility. ISEA is also eyeing campuswide improvements – including walking paths and “interactive educational art displays” – to join together its three parcels into “one flowing campus that is publicly accessible and inviting.”

These visions and others will be made possible through a fundraiser called the Campaign for the Future of Great Lakes Education, which has been in a quiet phase for the past four years. When the campaign finally went public this summer, it had raised $8.1 million of an $11.1 million goal, with a target of raising the remaining $3 million by the end of the year.

The update: According to ISEA Executive Director Fred Sitkins, “things are progressing nicely," with donations and pledged support bringing the fundraising total to $9.9 million. Sitkins says he’s been “surprised” by just how passionate the community has been about the project since it went public.

“It’s one thing to have that kind of support on the front end of a campaign, when you are reaching out to the people who you know are going to step in and believe in your vision,” Sitkins explains. “But since we made the announcement, so many people are coming out of the woodwork and saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I'm so happy for you guys; I’d love to contribute.’ It’s really been an enjoyable period of time.”

Nezt steps: ISEA is hoping to hit $10.1 million in funds raised by October 8, to stay on track with its $11.1 million December 31 deadline. Beyond raising the money, Sitkins says ISEA is “in the initial plan review stage” with the Village of Suttons Bay, in hopes of having all approvals in place by the end of the year so the Millside renovation project can go out to bid in January.

In the meantime, Sitkins shares that ISEA has “done a decent amount of demo work in the lower level area” at Millside, which is “now going to be our ship maintenance facility.” ISEA’s previous maintenance facility was at Discovery Pier, but the nonprofit had to vacate ahead of last week’s groundbreaking for the new Freshwater Research & Innovation Center. “We’ve moved all of our equipment from the Traverse City location into the Millside building, and our volunteers have been in there every Friday, getting stuff organized so we’ll be ready to complete the winter maintenance that we do on the ships,” Sitkins adds.