TSRI Development Office Launches Fundraising Initiative
to Purchase Immunology Building
What does it take to raise at least $16 million? Commitment.
Perseverance. And most of all a good cause.
The Scripps Research Institute's (TSRI) development staff
have all three in the new initiative to raise money to purchase
the Immunology Building. The building, which has been leased
by TSRI since 1980, is the southern anchor to the main TSRI
campus and houses TSRI's oldest and largest department, the
Department of Immunology, comprising some 60 faculty, 100
postdocs, and 340 staff members.
"This is a one-time opportunity to obtain the building at
below current market value," says Director of Development
Denise M. Scalzo. "Land is no longer available on the Torrey
Pines Mesa, which makes acquiring the building an important
priority."
The terms of the original lease allow TSRI the right to
purchase the building at a pre-determined price. Raising a
minimum of $16 million in private funds would enable the institute
to commit to the purchase by the deadline of June 2003 and
take advantage of this exceptional option.
While in general it is a difficult time for raising money—the
stock market's fluctuations have affected discretionary funds
and individual wealth—development staff remain optimistic.
"TSRI is not just another biomedical institution," comments
Development Officer Roz Hodgins.
Development staff are making their case for the long-term
medical potential of work that goes on within the Immunology
Building's walls. "How often do you have a chance to help
save 64 million lives?" reads a brochure for the initiative.
"Last year, 64 million people suffered from cancer, HIV, diabetes,
and septic shock. Rare and deadly viral diseases in developing
countries threaten to make those numbers grow. Since 1980,
the Immunology Building has been home to world leaders in
unlocking the secrets of the complex human immune system and
in developing potential treatments for these global killers."
While written material supports the fundraising effort,
development staff acknowledge that it all comes down to people—finding
and informing those forward-looking individuals with the vision,
passion, and means to make the purchase of the Immunology
Building possible.
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The Immunology Building, leased by TSRI
since 1980, houses TSRI's oldest and largest department. Photo
by Kevin Fung.
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