Financing the Center
How is it Financed?
By voluntary associations, interested private individuals, cubs,
City and State Contributions (1960s Welcome brochure)
Financing the Center
These budgets from the Center’s past show both constant support from state, city and county agencies and organizations, and a constant need to rely on private donations and grants to provide for area seniors.
Since 1957, the Center has raised funds for its activities, and also received city and state funding. The United Fund (now United Way) has been a major supporter from the early years. But individual donations have always made a huge difference. A fundraising or “dunning” letter sent in summer 1959 urged support for the over 1900 people over 50 in Saratoga County, urging support especially for those over 65, who face “serious economic problems” and will benefit from a “special place” where they can “meet new friends of their own age and interest…share hobbies…[and] learn ways to be constructive and thoughtful and useful citizens.” (Dunning Letter, 7/16/1959)
As it got started, the Center had a 1961 annual budget of less than $6,000 per year (about $47,000 today), which almost doubled by 1981. The Center’s annual budget has more than quadrupled since 2010, from $120,000 to $560,000 to support a wide range of programming, advocacy and activities for seniors.
1959 'dunning' letter
1977 Budget, Senior Center
Robert Gass signs budget, 1988, with United Way
In 1993, financial contributions allowed for the construction of the Kilmer Pavilion, which added space for classes, meetings and small parties.
Recent grants that have kept the center up to date, including a $10,000 grant from the Adirondack Trust Co. which allowed the center to purchase a new phone system in 2012. Additional grants also funded the construction of a carport and new entrance for easier access to the center.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0sbTj8c9WODRmdGeUpFN2FHVlE/view