Capital Campaign

UUCB is launching a capital campaign

Beginning in September 2024, the  Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo (UUCB) is launching a three-year capital campaign to raise $1,000,000. We have named this campaign, “Carry the Light Forward,” to reflect its goal of honoring our building’s history and heritage and ensuring a bright future.

Why we need a capital campaign​

For more than a century, the UUCB has stood as a beacon of progressive values and community service. It is a place where individuals have found acceptance, inspiration, and joy. Our church is a cornerstone in the community, embodying the spirit of hope and inclusivity.

However, urgent repairs are needed to ensure the church’s continued service to the community. Our historic building requires repairs from the lower levels to the bell tower, and particularly in our religious education classrooms, which have been impacted by long-term water seepage. 

<<click to see the list>>

Our fundraising plan

Capital Campaign Committee:
We have a strong capital campaign committee in place to lead the Carry the Light Forward Campaign. This dedicated committee brings decades of church knowledge and experience in fundraising and outreach. They have spent the last two years conducting the necessary foundational groundwork to be ready for September’s launch, including: 

  • a financial feasibility study <<link>
  • architectural and engineering building survey <<link>
  • town hall meetings, informational sessions, and financial planning workshops
  • secured a $250,000 matching grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places <<link>>
 

Welcoming Community: The Heart of Our Capital Campaign

Our community thrives within the walls of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, and its historic structure is vital to our mission. Established in 1906, our building offers a safe and inclusive space where people from all walks of life come together for spiritual growth, mutual support, and community engagement. UUCB in the Elmwood Village has been a stronghold for LGBTQ+ individuals and families for decades, providing a haven for those seeking acceptance and spiritual fulfillment. We offer creative, powerful, and diverse worship services that enhance the congregation's experience. Our Religious Education program, from pre-K through 12, aims to nurture spiritual development, personal growth, and leadership skills in a supportive and inclusive community environment. The sanctuary is a haven for our uplifting Sunday services, while our meeting rooms host essential recovery groups, dance groups, and various community events, fostering connections and support networks.

We cannot overlook one of the most essential elements that enriches our church experience: the glorious music! The UUCB boasts an exceptional music program that stands as a vibrant testament to the power of harmony and community. However, long-term water infiltration has jeopardized these crucial spaces, highlighting the urgent need for repairs. By supporting our capital campaign, you help ensure our building remains a steadfast foundation for our diverse programs and services, allowing us to continue being a beacon of hope and inclusivity in Buffalo. Join us in preserving this cherished space and empowering our community to flourish.

Our Spiritual Home Represents Our Values
Our current church home opened its doors in 1906, designed by renowned Buffalo architect Edward Austin Kent. UUCB was built of Indiana limestone in English Country Gothic Style. Its plain exterior belies the magnificence of the sanctuary, with its steep roof and massive hammer-beam trusses. The simplicity of the English Country Gothic Revival and Arts & Crafts styles of the interior allowed the congregation to express the lack of religious dogma in the Unitarian religion. There are no statues and few images in the interior. To this day, our faith allows people to find their personal spiritual path. We are a people of a chosen faith.
Serving the Needs of Our Community Reflects UUCB’s Mission
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo not only addresses the needs of its vibrant congregation, but invites more than twenty-five community groups, including art and music performances, recovery groups, social justice organizations, and others to share our space. Our overflowing monthly calendar of events reflects the range of visitors and community groups that count on our reasonably priced facilities to gather, to cook, to heal and to create connection.
A Shared Community Space
- For 25 years, our kitchen has served Food Not Bombs, providing free, nutritious vegan meals for the hungry.
- Seven recovery groups meet weekly at our church, serving around 250 people.
- We host weekly classes for three dance groups: Contra, folk, and ecstatic.
- Our free monthly Casual Concerts showcase local and regional musicians.
- We provide a safe space for neighborhood Girl Scout troops.
- Our building hosts poetry classes, the Women’s Society Distinguished Speakers Series, the Banned Book Club, and crafting clubs, enriching Buffalo's curious and creative communities.

The Capital Campaign Committee, after consulting with members of the congregation including the Fixed Assets Committee, has set a fundraising goal of $1,000,000 from the congregation and the community. The addition of the $250,000 matching NFSP grant will bring our total goal to $1,250,000.

Our feasibility study, which began on April 1st, will provide insights into the possibility of raising these funds. It’s time to consider your contribution, which can be given over the next three years.

Feasibility Study

As we embark on this critical mission, our church, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, is dedicated to raising $1,250,000 for urgent repairs and improvements. These efforts are crucial to ensuring the continued safety and functionality of our cherished church, addressing issues such as long-term water infiltration in our religious education classrooms and revitalizing our historic building. Your contribution, no matter the size, is vital to our success.

Stay tuned for updates and ways to get involved as we prepare to launch our campaign. Together, let’s Carry the Light Forward and make a brighter future for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo.

Carry the Light Forward will require the support of everyone, and several committees of volunteer leaders are already involved:

Capital Campaign Committee:
Bridget Evans, Co-chair
Phil Nicolai, Co-chair
Rev. Cathy Harrington
Jane Armbruster
Joel Cohen
Martha Malkiewicz
Molly Quackenbush
Greg Rabb
Architecture and engineering firm:
Foit-Albert Associates
UUCB project managers:
David Quackenbush
William Botsford
Tom Muka
John Petrocelli
Board of Trustees:
Christine Slocum — co-presidents
Kate Bell-Schwede — co-presidents
Thea Hassan — secretary
Paul Zanolli — treasurer
Bill Parke — member-at-large
Shawn Sweet — member-at-large
Dave Batt — member-at-large
Paul Zanolli, Treasurer

Resources

Click the images below to find out more about the National Fund for Sacred Places Grant.

UUCB Congregational Announcement

Press Release

National Fund for Sacred Places Announcement

Case Statement

Updates

What Needs to be Done

Gifts Needed to Reach Goal of $1,000,000

To reach our capital campaign goal, the following distribution of gifts is needed. Ask yourself:

How can I assure that this faith community will best serve the next generation? How much money can I commit to fulfill our ministry? How do I feel about my previous giving in relation to the gifts that I have been given? Have I been giving until it feels good? Can I increase my commitment to the next giving level?

  • 1 gift of more than $100,000
  • 1 gift of $80,001 to $100,000
  • 1 gift of $50,001 to $80,000
  • 3 gifts of $20,001 to $50,000
  • 7 gifts of $10,001 to $20,000
  • 20 gifts of $6,001 to $10,000
  • 32 gifts of $4,801 to $6,000
  • 25 gifts of $3,601 to $4,800
  • 27 gifts of $2,801 to $3,600
  • 45 gifts of $2,001 to $2,800
  • Several gifts of up to $2,000