Campaign Update | May 2020
From Our Executive Director
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Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Science Center's Launch the Future monthly news! We’ve created this newsletter to share with you our progress towards building Northern Virginia’s new science center.

When the COVID-19 crisis hit our region, temporarily closing the Lab, we began emergency planning to continue our mission virtually, subsidize revenues, and secure the progress of the Launch the Future campaign. Since March, the Lab has shifted our mission online, offering virtual experiences through our website and social media platforms. We are grateful to have secured a federal PPP loan and for the generosity of our incredible supporters who are enabling us to continue our mission today. Lastly, we are especially thankful that our Pivotal Partners for the new science center, who have committed over 85% of total campaign funds, are able to continue their support

These unprecedented times have presented numerous hardships and remind us of the critical role science plays in solving global challenges. As we continue to support each other and find solutions, I believe the vision for the future science center offers a beacon of hope for us all.

Sincerely,
Nene Spivy
January Celebration Reception
In January, Governor and Mrs. Northam joined over 200 supporters at Belmont Country Club to kick-off Launch the Future, a $75 million capital campaign to build Northern Virginia’s science center. With significant commitments from our Pivotal Partners, over 85% of the project budget has been confirmed. Nationally recognized, award-winning teams from HGA architects and Roto exhibit design were announced to bring our vision of a world-class science center to fruition.
Project Progress
Exhibit Design Advances
Award-winning design firm Roto is five months into an 18-month design process for creating exciting STEM experiences for the future science center. Roto, working with representatives from the Children’s Science Center, the Science Museum of Virginia, the Commonwealth, and Loudoun County, is building on ideas captured in the original master plan created with community input in 2017. Stay tuned for an opportunity to see what they’ve been working on! 


Campaign Fundraising Update

Individuals and corporations have committed $850,000 in new leadership gifts
since the kick-off event in January. 

Thank you to our
STEM Champions!
Thank You to our Pivotal Partners!

We greatly appreciate our Pivotal Partners, who have reaffirmed their funding commitment
of over 85% of the $75 million needed to complete the campaign.
Campaign Contributor Spotlight: Kincora
Spring is a special time at Kincora! It is when our beloved herons return to nests at their rookery, and we get to enjoy the natural beauty of over 150 acres of parkland that Kincora developers have preserved for both heron and human use. Spring typically brings us all outside together to celebrate community, nature, and herons at Kincorafest. While this wonderful family festival wasn't possible this year, we look forward to it resuming in 2021.

We fondly remember past festivals with live music, tractor rides, s'mores over fire pits, muddy boots, binoculars, and the special celebrations over the years with our first Pivotal Partner for Northern Virginia's science center, including last year's celebration of the public-private partnership.

In 2014, the developers of Kincora, TRITEC Real Estate and Norton Scott, donated land valued at $3 million to the project. This was a milestone moment for the project, giving the science center a future home. As the project has grown and additional partners have joined the cause, the Kincora team has been ready to help in any and every way.

Thank you Kincora for being a dedicated champion for Northern Virginia's science center!
For more information about the campaign to build Northern Virginia's science center, contact:

Margaret Cartier, Campaign Manager