TICONDEROGA — The Fort Ticonderoga Association is reporting an increase in donations for 2011.
The Fort Ticonderoga Fund, the national historic landmark's annual giving program, raised $600,327 in 2011, up 12 percent from 2010, Executive Director Beth Hill said.
"While there were significant challenges to overcome in 2011, I am very pleased by Fort Ticonderoga's results, as they show that (our) compelling mission is resonating with our supporters," she said in a release.
"In addition, site-specific and unique interpretive programs, the new internationally acclaimed Art of War exhibit and a strong marketing strategic plan, which highlighted the new 'America's Fort' brand, repositioned Fort Ticonderoga as a national must-see destination."
She said the number of donors also increased in 2011 by 14 percent.
GENEROUS RESPONSE
Before 2011, the fort did not have a structured giving program, Hill said, and mail solicitations were sent twice a year.
"Two appeals were sent to donors: one in the spring and one in the fall. It didn't have an overall strategy to reach an annual goal. There was no volunteer base to support it, and there wasn't specific leadership, such as a chair or co-chair."
The 2011 Fort Ticonderoga Fund was co-chaired by Sandy Morhouse of Ticonderoga and Kitty Pell of Boston.
"We are especially grateful to the staff and the greater Ticonderoga community who contributed to Fort Ticonderoga last year," Morhouse said in the statement.
"Our donors responded generously in 2011 and increased their giving at a time when there is intensified competition for charitable dollars and the condition of the economy has challenged our supporters."
SUCCESSFUL YEAR
The fort had severe financial problems in the mid 2000s, laying off staff and even considering selling part of its collection to raise money.
But 2011 was a successful financial year for them, Hill said, with overall revenue up 18 percent.
"The results were achieved in the midst of unexpected challenges, including a severe winter, significant flooding in the Lake Champlain region in the spring and a hurricane in the late summer which devastated the entire region. In spite of these challenges and a national downward visitation trend at historic sites, visitation to Fort Ticonderoga remained flat for 2011 at 70,378 visitors."
The fort's attendance peaked at more than 100,000 in the late 1990s but has fallen recently, as it has at other museums and historic sites in the Northeast.
"Visitation numbers at historic sites nationally show a decline," Hill said in an email interview. "I know the Adirondack Museum and Shelburne Museum numbers were down. Nationally, Colonial Williamsburg was approximately 3 percent down, as were most other sites.
"With that in mind, holding our visitation flat, considering the weather and national trend is commendable."
NUCLEUS FUND
Fort Board of Trustees President Peter Paine said establishment of the Fort Ticonderoga Fund was a significant new strategy for an organization that depends heavily on the generosity of its donors.
"Trustee giving led the way, both in a total commitment, which increased 15 percent in 2011, and by making pledges early in the drive, permitting us to announce a nucleus fund of over $300,000 at the fort's Midsummer Gala in July."
The Fort Ticonderoga Fund included The Fort-ifier program, which enlisted a committee of 21 local volunteers and fort advocates, Committee Co-Chair Anne McDonald of Ticonderoga said in the release.
"This group made an important impact on the success of the campaign. Volunteers personally contacted over 100 prospects in the community and secured 87 commitments totaling $32,745."
The Fort Ticonderoga Association is a private, nonprofit organization that manages the fort, constructed in 1758 by the French as Fort Carillon. It was later in British and American hands.
Email Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
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