Our Capital Campaign
thanks to the support of generous donors, AFMSP has secured a new home where we can continue to grow our programs and our community.
300 individuals, families and foundations have contributed to our Capital Campaign.
Join Them in Making a Contribution
Are you interested in supporting the Capital Campaign?
When you support the Campaign you share in our vision to create a welcoming center for members of our community and from all backgrounds, to gather, and you invest in making this dream a reality.
After a pandemic-related pause, we have relaunched our fundraising efforts, and today we are asking for your help. To date, including the sale of our former home, we have raised $4,253,917 toward our $5,100,000 goal.
We need every member of our community to make a contribution. Every amount makes a difference- whether you make a one-time contribution or prefer to make a multi-year pledge.
Donors to our Capital Campaign will be recognized on a permanent donor wall, showing that YOU are part of our legacy. Join these donors in making a gift!
“International understanding and harmony are at the heart of the mission of the Alliance Française of Minneapolis/St Paul. I am so proud of how far we have come in creating a great new home for our Alliance – one from which we will serve our community for generations to come. I hope more members and friends will join me and the hundreds who have already given to our capital campaign and help us get across the finish line.”
- Hubert Joly, Honorary Chair of the AFMSP Capital Campaign & Lead Donor, Former Chairman and CEO of Best Buy Co.
Timeline of Progress
Funding has allowed us to make incremental renovations to our new home
Nearly seven years ago, the AFMSP community—a community passionate about the French language and francophone cultures—dreamed of having a beautiful new home in the heart of the Twin Cities. We envisioned a new home with comfortable classrooms, great meeting spaces for cultural events of all sizes and types, ample room for our multi-media library and convenient on-site parking. That dream took a giant leap toward becoming a reality in October 2018. With the generous contributions of our members and friends to our Capital Campaign, AFMSP was able to acquire our new building—the Joly Family Center for International Understanding.
From where we started, to where we are now, the generosity of our donors has allowed us to make significant progress towards our goals.
2017 - AFMSP board formally decides to acquire a new home; launches extensive search of possible new locations; launches Capital Campaign.
2018 - AFMSP acquires the Joly Family Center for International Understanding at 227 Colfax Ave N in Minneapolis, for $2.8 million with a mortgage bridge loan.
2019 - All classes, events, and operations move to the Joly Center. Over 70% of planned renovations and improvements to Joly Center are completed, including new roof, classrooms, multi-media library, La Galerie, La Boutique and teacher-prep and administrative offices. Classroom, library and event-space furnishings acquired and installed.
2020 - Renovations slow, but ultimately continue, due to COVID pandemic; the Grande Salle and reception area are built; installation of improved Wi-Fi throughout the Joly Center.
2021 - AFMSP sells old building at 113 N First Street; applies net proceeds to reduce balance of Joly Center mortgage.
2022 - Construction of the teaching kitchen and café began with scheduled completion in Spring 2022! Final touches on our renovation to follow, such as added lighting and improved HVAC in classrooms and installation of a new elevator.
Budget
Help us succeed in reaching our goal
You can be part of this historical moment in the life of the AFMSP by donating what you can to our ongoing Capital Campaign. Contact Christina at directeur@afmsp.org or Rachel at development@afmsp.org today with questions about contributions, pledges, or stock donations!