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Friends of Woodman's Center Kicks off Historic Fundraising Campaign at Uptown Janesville

Updated: Jun 17


On Wednesday, Feb. 8, the Friends of the Woodman's Center joined RockStep Capital at Uptown Janesville to launch a new fundraising series expected to raise an additional $1M in private funds by Mar. 22. The Together We Can campaign is a high-level fellowship initiative supporting the Woodman's Sports and Convention Center project. The campaign feeds into the group's goal to raise $9M by May 31, 2023, which is expected to be the largest and most significant private fundraising campaign in Janesville's history.

"We know how important it is for the Janesville community to see project contributions delivered in real-time," says Sean Knott, Friends volunteer and Chair of the Together We Can campaign. "The initiative does that while serving as a key milestone in our commitment to support the diversification of the Woodman's Center project funding."


Together We Can pledges are expected to help the Friends reach $7M in private donor contributions and Woodman's Center sponsors by spring 2023. Funding gaps left to fill include a $1M naming sponsorship for the multipurpose seasonal arena that will provide flexible space for conferences, events, and community programs, leaving just $1M to rally with additional support funds.


"Thank you to the many community members who joined us at Uptown Janesville to support the Woodman's Center and RockStep for sponsoring an extraordinary outreach-fundraising event. The conversations and excitement were high, and the participants showed how strong Janesville is when working together," says Friends of Woodman's Center project manager Sabrina Siker Bowerman. "Our community has demonstrated its support to create a unique public-private partnership designed to benefit all. The kickoff event at Uptown Janesville was a great example of that."


Launched Feb. 1 through Mar. 22, the Together We Can campaign is on track to engage 100 community donors, each pledging at the $10,000 level. Pledges can be made in full or at $2,000 annually over five years. The first installment won't come due until Fall 2023. Final fundraising reports will be shared once all pledges are committed, and the campaign has officially closed.


Knott continues, "The best part is, we anticipate campaign momentum to only grow from here. And, we invite the community to follow along."


Attend a "Together We Can" Event


If you would like to attend a future community giving series event to learn more about how your generous gift will impact the Woodman's Center project or pledge a $10,000 "Together We Can" campaign gift, contact the Friends of the Woodman's Center at friends@woodmanscenter.com or (608) 314-2616.


Anyone Can Become a Friend of the Woodman's Center


While the "Together We Can" campaign is a high-level donor initiative, anyone can show support for the Woodman's Center.


Here's how:

Any show of support, no matter the magnitude, will help make the Woodman's Center a place for the Janesville community to benefit from for decades to come.


About the Woodman's Center: Located at the former Sears building at Uptown Janesville, the 130,000 square feet proposed Woodman's Sports and Convention Center will become Northern Rock County's most significant gathering space, attracting sports teams, regional and national companies, and organizations for meetings, conferences, and trade shows.


About the Friends: The Friends of the Woodman's Center have been actively gathering, planning, researching, and campaigning for the Woodman's Sports and Convention Center project since 2017. The Friends work in partnership with the City of Janesville, Janesville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Forward Janesville, community volunteers, and civic group leaders.

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