A family with strong ties to Maine has come forward to give Land for Southport’s Future (LFSF) a boost in fundraising to buy the Ruth Gardner house on Southport.

LFSF’s Nancy Prisk said the family, who wishes to remain anonymous, is offering $400,000 in matching funds for every new local dollar raised. This means everything raised thus far will be off the table toward the matching donation.

“That’s the important piece,” said Prisk. “The family that’s offered us this matching grant looks forward to knowing that their challenge will leverage further community support.”

Fundraising efforts will have to ramp up to acquire $400,000 in funds and make the Tuesday, Feb. 19 closing date, but Prisk said if smaller donations can match the generous offer, LFSF will be able to buy the house and all its property, and still have money to take the next important steps.

“At the successful conclusion of this campaign, we will be able to focus on the rehabilitation of the Gardner house which will be a space for community engagement and a center for the arts and sciences,” said Prisk.

This project focuses on building relationships, said Prisk. From its start in 2016, LFSF has listened to the people of Southport and of the region, and that has guided all the efforts to keep Ruth’s house in the hands of the community, Prisk continued. With matching funds totaling $800,000 before even what fundraising has already brought to the table, LFSF will have the opportunity to develop the community’s vision debt free.

“From the ground up, there are over 230 donor households. We’re looking forward to that number increasing daily … You can’t wait for the second opportunity. This is the only opportunity.”

Donations can be made in person at the First Federal Savings and Loan Boothbay Harbor branch. Gifts can also be made out and mailed to LFSF – P.O. Box 298, Southport, ME 04576 – or made at https://landforsouthportsfuture.org/