MFA project hits milestone
$245M raised so far for planned expansion
The Museum of Fine Arts, three years into the most ambitious fund-raising campaign in its history, announced yesterday at its annual board meeting that it has reached an important, self-imposed milestone.
MFA officials said they have raised $245 million, or 58 percent, of the $425 million goal for the museum's massive expansion project. That eclipses the previous high for a cultural institution, a $150 million drive completed in 2001 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Now, the MFA will move from the "quiet" phase of fund-raising into a more public part of their campaign, which means widening the circle of people they ask for money.
"Clearly, we have every reason to think that unless something incredible happens that they can't forsee that they'll make their goal," said Stacy Palmer, editor of the Chronicle of Philanthropy. "Groups don't go public until they're sure they can meet it." So far, the gifts include 51 pledges of $1 million or more, 34 from MFA trustees and 13 from overseers and benefactors. Other $1 million-plus gifts came from
"I want to stress that we're in this position in what has been a period of great uncertainty," MFA director Malcolm Rogers said. "What's the statement that makes about Boston philanthropy and confidence in the museum and confidence in our plans?"
Since announcing the unprecedented capital campaign three years ago, museum officials have said little about a plan that calls for new galleries, shops, and a 70-foot, roof-level crystal spine. That period has been known as the "quiet" portion of the campaign, when the MFA raised money mainly through its board members. Deputy Director Patricia Jacoby, who is leading the fund-raising, set a goal of 55 percent before the museum could go public with the figures. She met that goal at the end of June. By that time, the MFA had secured $70 million in gifts -- a condition for a matching $70 million pledge made by a handful of private donors, she said.
There was a small celebration in the MFA offices this summer with about 35 employees, board chairman Susan Paine, and Rogers toasting the milestone with champagne. Then it was back to work.
"It's an exciting moment because we can share the news, and it's much easier for us to be talking about it freely," Jacoby said. "It's also good for Boston. There's been, at least, questioning on some people's parts. `Have they made it? Is the campaign going forward? Is it faltering?' Now they see it's been absolutely on track, and I think we, particularly the trustees, can take huge pride in what's been accomplished."
The MFA announcement came just a week after a similar one by the Institute of Contemporary Art. ICA leaders, who plan to build a new museum on the South Boston waterfront, broke ground last week after saying they had raised about $34 million, or 55 percent, of the $62 million total goal for the new ICA, set to open in 2006. The MFA's expansion is set to be completed by 2009, with a ground-breaking early next year.
Yesterday, the MFA did hold back some details of the campaign. The trustees who have donated wish to remain anonymous for the time being, Rogers said. And while MFA officials have decided on naming portions of the expanded building for donors, they said they're not prepared to reveal those names yet.
"What counts [to the trustees] is the great American wing we're creating and the project, which affects so many areas of the museum, rather than publicizing their own personal contribution,"
Rogers said. Geoff Edgers can be reached at gedgers@globe.com. 
