To mark the 50th anniversary of the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) and emphasize the significant work of history organizations and programs across the state, we asked our FY2017 and FY2018 grant recipients to submit a short narrative and photos describing the impact of NJHC funding. Each week until the end of our fiscal year in June, we will post a spotlight featuring the responses of our grant recipients. Whether NJHC support contributed to general operating, a brand new exhibit, an engaging education program or the restoration of a historic object, it’s truly amazing to see what New Jersey history organizations, libraries, and individuals have to offer.
This week we spotlight The Save Lucy Committee, Inc.!
The Save Lucy Committee, Inc. has seen tremendous improvements in its operations and is reaching a larger, more diverse audience than ever before due to its professional staff made possible through funds received by the GOS grant. The NJHC General Operating Support grant for FY2017 continued to pay for a portion of the salaries and benefits for the Executive Director and Director of Education. Their combined efforts of significantly increasing Lucy’s online presence and improving marketing efforts has drawn more visitors to Lucy the Elephant allowing the site to now be open year-round and requiring the need for the SLC to hire a part-time cashier. This has allowed the Executive Director and Director of Education the ability to focus on acquiring alternative sources of funding for the organization’s future plans of making the site more accessible with the addition of an Interpretive Center and onsite restrooms. They are accomplishing this task primarily by actively seeking out grants as well as by administering raffles and fundraisers earmarked for restoration projects and other operational needs. This also allows the SLC to further their ultimate long-term goal of establishing an endowment that will ensure funding is always available for future maintenance and capital improvements of Lucy the Elephant.
For questions about NJHC Grantee Spotlights, please contact Greer Luce, Communications Officer, at 609-633-0776 or greer.luce@sos.nj.gov.
About the New Jersey Historical Commission
The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) is a state agency dedicated to the advancement of public knowledge and preservation of New Jersey history. Established by law in 1967, its work is founded on the fundamental belief that an understanding of our shared heritage is essential to sustaining a cohesive and robust democracy.
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