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Support the Past, Present and Future with your Donation to the Historic Banner Elk School Project.
Team of 83
Naming Rights Opportunities
Honor Roll of Donors

 

“It’s Time to Fund The Historic Banner Elk School”

It is with great pride and pleasure that we announce the purchase and permanent home of the Historic Banner Elk School, and we are now offering you the opportunity to participate early in our kickoff fundraising campaign.  With your generous donation we can ensure that the Historic Banner Elk School is sustained and continues to provide on-going resources and services within our community, to Avery County, the High Country, and beyond.  Throughout its history the Banner Elk School served thousands of children and families and we look forward to continuing that legacy.  With your donation, we can make this possible.

Everyone has an opportunity to help and be part of the funding, from our HONOR ROLL OF DONORS to our NAMING RIGHTS CAMPAIGN.  No matter your ability, there is a level for you or your group to help.  We welcome you in advance into the Historic Banner Elk School Family as you become recognized as part of the rebirth, in the fundraising for this project. 

Your tax deductible donation can be made payable to the Town of Banner Elk, marked for the Historic Banner Elk School Project, and mailed to P.O. Box 2049 Banner Elk, NC 28604.                   

If you cannot donate to a government entity your tax deductible donation can be made payable to the Friends of Historic Banner Elk School, a 501(c)(3) non-profit mailed to P.O. Box 234, Banner Elk, NC 28604.  

For further information, please feel free to contact Brenda Lyerly, Mayor, Town of Banner Elk, 828-898-5382 or Ted Silver, Chairman, HBES Fundraising Committee, 828-898-5437 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

There is no time limit for you to help fund your Historic Banner Elk School, please consider any level of donation whenever possible.

We ask that you share these opportunities with anyone that you think would be interested.

Naming Rights Opportunities

 

1

Total School & Property; Your Name Here Center

$ 1,000,000.00

2

Festival Area; Green space out front

$    250,000.00

3

Gymnasium

$    100,000.00

4

Garden area; Front of School

$    100,000.00

5

Garden area; Along 184 by the Elk & Sign

$    100,000.00

6

Halls

$      75,000.00

7

Library 

$      50,000.00

8

Cafeteria

$      50,000.00

9

Mayland Community College Annex 

$      50,000.00

10

Court Yard 

$      25,000.00

11

Entrance area

$      25,000.00

12

Sign & surrounding garden

$      25,000.00

13

Rooms; 15 rooms available @ $25,000 each

$      25,000.00

14

Undesignated at this time (benches, garden stones, etc.)  $10, 000 each

$      10,000.00

 

Donations and naming rights may be made in one payment or in five year (5) installments.  A donation may be made as an individual, group, Family Foundation, organization, etc.   These are once in a lifetime opportunities for you to put your mark on your Historic Banner Elk School and show your support.  We ask that you share these opportunities with anyone that you think would be interested.

 

Honor Roll of Donors

 

In an effort to achieve the Historic Banner Elk School’s funding we offer the following donor categories.  These are established to allow opportunities for every person or group, at every level, the opportunities to donate.  All donations will be posted in the premises to acknowledge your generosity, in the Honor Roll of Donors in annual publications and on the HBES website. Donations made at The 1939 Society, Principal, Founders’ Circle, Patron and Leadership level will be permanently placed on a plaque within the school.

Donations of $5,000 or more may be made in one (1) payment or in a five year (5) installment plan

 

Village:  Donations of $1 to $99 [donors at this level will be posted in the premises, will see their name in annual publications and on the HBES website] 

Mentor:  Gifts of $100 or more [donors at this level will be posted in the premises, will see their name in annual publications and on the HBES website] 

Wisdom:  Donations of $500 or more [donors at this level will be posted in the premises, will see their name in annual publications and on the HBES website]

Motivator:  Donations of $1,000 or more [donors at this level will be posted in the premises, will see their name in annual publications and on the HBES website] 

Academia:  Donations of $5,000 or more [donors at this level will be posted in the premises, will see their name in annual publications and on the HBES website] 

Leadership:  Donations of $10,000 or more [donors at this level will see their name on a plaque inside the HBES and will receive a Golden Ruler pin to proudly wear or a Golden Ruler with their name and information about the Historic Banner Elk School and on the HBES website]

Patron:  Donations of $25,000 or more [donors at this level will see their name on a plaque inside the HBES and will receive a Golden Ruler pin to proudly wear or a Golden Ruler with their name and information about the Historic Banner Elk School and on the HBES website]

Founders’ Circle:  Donations of $50,000 or more   [donors at this level will see their name on a plaque inside the HBES and will receive a Golden Ruler pin to proudly wear or a Golden Ruler with their name and information about the Historic Banner Elk School and on the HBES website]

Principal:  Donations of $75,000 [donors at this level will see their name on a plaque inside the HBES and will receive a Golden Ruler pin to proudly wear or a Golden Ruler with their name and information about the Historic Banner Elk School and on the HBES website]

The 1939 Society:  Donations of $100,000 or more [donors at this level will see their name on a plaque inside the HBES and will receive a Golden Ruler pin to proudly wear or a Golden Ruler with their name and information about the Historic Banner Elk School and on the HBES website]

 

Team of 83

    Join the “Team of 83”!

What is the “Team of 83”?  It is a group of individuals, businesses, clubs, churches and organizations that believe in and support the Historic Banner Elk School project.  In the fall of 2014, the Town of Banner Elk signed an agreement with Avery County to purchase the property for $1,000,000, to be paid over the next twelve years.  This breaks down to $83,333 per year for payment in full. The “Team of 83” provides a straight-forward way for the Town to fully own the building and the surrounding five acres.  Our commitment to the Historic Banner Elk School project will include a minimum of 83 friends, each pledging $1000 per year over the next twelve years. Several folks have expressed interest in joining the “Team of 83” and it is our hope that supporting the school and its future are important to you.

 

The original section of the Historic Banner Elk School was built in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration using native materials and workers from the local area.  For many years, the school housed students in grades one through eight.  Additions were made to the building in the 1950s and again in the early 1970s.  Until 2011, when the original school was replaced, children from preschool through fifth grade attended classes here.  This structure is an important part of the history of our community.  By protecting the building and surrounding greenspace, the property will continue to be a vital part of activity and learning in our wonderful town.

 

Mayland Community College has leased three rooms in the back portion of the school. Mayland will update and prepare the rooms to start classes in the fall of 2015 or early 2016. This allows the College to expand its class offerings in this area of the county and to become an integral part of the future of the Historic Banner Elk School project.  Potential uses could include a community gathering space, leasing of business areas, educational offerings highlighting arts and crafts of the mountain region and special celebrations or festivals.  There are many possibilities for preserving and using this historic building.

 

If you are interested in joining the “Team of 83” or if you have questions, please contact Allen Bolick, 828-898-1934, Donna Dicks, 828-898-6667 or Rick Owen, Banner Elk Town Manager, 828-898-5398. In addition to pledging to join the “Team of 83”, the Town of Banner Elk is accepting donations of any amount.  All donations will be gratefully received and are tax deductible; for your convenience, please find a pledge card at this LINK.  Thank you for your support and interest.

 

Donor List

Thank you to all those that have donated so far.
A list of donors will be added soon.

Media Coverage

Read stories about the Project
Media Coverage

Donations made to the Town of Banner Elk are tax deductible for federal tax purposes pursuant to 26 U.S.C. §170(c)(1).  You should consult your tax adviser as to the effect of charitable donations upon your overall tax liability.  Pursuant to IRS Circular Notice #230, any tax advice contained on this website or any attachment cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding tax related penalties, if such were otherwise applicable.