Atlanta Grade School Friends Long Range Plan
Atlanta Grade School Friends has outlined the following phases of development. Phase I: Restore (2002 through 2022 and complete) • Nonprofit articles of incorporation filed with the Texas Secretary of State (2002) • IRS nonprofit status filed and approved (2003) • Acquisition of Atlanta-Miller Grade School and the property on which it sits • Clean-up (complete) • Stabilization including a new roof, floor repair, property improvements (complete) • Requesting and obtaining a Texas Historical Commission marker (2006) • Ongoing fundraising to help fund the above (complete). Phase II: Renovate (2023 through 2026) • Restoration design and budgeting with the help of Architexas (done; includes contingency plan) • Research into identifying financial support partners is ongoing and fundraising will continue through 2026. A generous initial grant of $1,000,000 has been received and will create an exciting matching opportunity for future contributors (in the works) • Architexas worked with us to apply for National Register of Historic Places status, and we are pleased that on May 29, 2026, we were approved. We are now listed as a national historic site worthy of preservation (done) 1
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Acquisition of adjacent property, sale and removal of the house on it, and clearing. An additional buffer tract has also been purchased. This area will ultimately be designated for off-street parking (complete). Installation of fire prevention sprinkler system prior to restoration, with financial help from The Summerlee Foundation and Walmart (complete) Organizational infrastructure ➢ New website, replacing 20-year-old version (done) ➢ MailChimp email system for regular monthly communication (done) ➢ Installation of online donation platform and constituent management system (complete and updated routinely) ➢ Creation of “hard copy” mailing list that is now merged with our master database and secured in the cloud, for annual holiday postcard mailings and potentially more USPS mailings (done) ➢ GuideStar gold seal for transparency (complete and updated annually) ➢ GreatNonprofits profile for public reviews (complete) and ISSUU document with more formal written letters of endorsement (complete) ➢ Creation of a YouTube channel and videos to engage our community and those beyond East Texas (complete and ongoing) ➢ Federal and State of Texas records updated with new physical and mailing addresses, including location of Texas Historical Commission marker (done) ➢ Google Maps coordination on physical address and new street view (complete) ➢ New bylaws replace the twenty-year-old version, approved by the Board (complete) ➢ Development of closer relationships with the Texas Historical Commission, Preservation Texas, East Texas Forest Trail Region and Cass County Historical Commission (in progress) ➢ Community survey via SurveyMonkey about future uses of the restored school (complete 2023), and ongoing dialogues with potential local partners (continuing, see YouTube) ➢ Installation of digital reader on ISSUU for ease of access online by donors and partners (complete) ➢ Honor Award received from Preservation Texas in 2023, and removal from the “most endangered” historic sites list after 20 years (done) ➢ Historical signage for the building’s interior is being discussed and a vendor identified, so that all future visitors to our National Register building can learn about its history onsite (in progress)
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Creation of case for support document in anticipation of launching a major gift campaign (done: this document) Creation and Board of Directors approved Sustainability Plan regarding infrastructure improvements and future funding mechanisms (done – if you would like to receive a copy, email us: atlantagradeschoolfriends@gmail.com) Research into online “booking” platforms to accommodate our future needs, focusing on one that can easily be attached to our website on WordPress (in progress) Planning for a public phase of the campaign when majority of the funding has been received (forthcoming)
Phase III: Revitalize (2027 through 2036) • First employee hired by Atlanta Grade School Friends and onsite office established • Donor recognition and historic signage installed onsite • Planning for celebration of the conclusion of the major gift campaign and grand opening • Creation of archive for online reference regarding historic Atlanta-Miller Grade School commences and continues through 2036 (ongoing - we are in touch with the Atlanta Public Library and The Portal to Texas History) • First project partnership with the City of Atlanta: Smithsonian exhibition “Museum on Main Street”: January-February 2027 • First “classes” and events occur in the renovated Atlanta-Miller Grade School by 2027 • Planning for the 100th anniversary of Atlanta-Miller Grade School begins and continues through 2036.
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