Mercy Corps Building Campaign Nears End

Portland Business Journal, August 12, 2009

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Mercy Corps’ $10 million campaign to pay for its new Old Town headquarters is nearing an end.

A recent $600,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust put it within $1.4 million of its goal.

Mercy Corps said Wednesday it is two months away from cutting the ribbon to open its new headquarters in the renovated and expanded Skidmore Fountain Building in Old Town Chinatown, Southwest First Avenue and Ankeny Street.

The building will open for business on Oct. 9 and will consolidate Mercy Corps operations now based in six buildings in the Lair Hill neighborhood building.

Portland-based Mercy Corps and its worldwide team of 3,700 provide relief to natural and political disasters around the world.

The new headquarters also will house Mercy Corps Northwest and the Lemelson Foundation as well as an action center designed to engage visitors in efforts to end world hunger and poverty.

Mercy Corps started the $25 million renovation on April 21, 2008. Major supporters include the Meyer Memorial Trust, funded by the estate of the late Fred Meyer, Jeld-Wen, Bill and Karen Early, Bob and Melinda Newell, The Lemelson Foundation, Melissa Waggener Zorkin and the Waggener Edstrom Charitable Foundation, Ray Hickey Foundation, Walsh Construction Co. and the Collins Foundation.

It is also being funded through the federal New Market Tax Credit program. Thomas Hacker Architects designed the building.