Save the Greenhouse

Save the Greenhouse Coalition

ph: 202 730 5099
info@savethegreenhouse.org

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July Meeting with Cathedral Senior Leadership

On July 17, members of the Steering Committee met with senior leadership from the Cathedral and the Chapter to discuss the "Friends of the Cathedral Greenhouse" proposal to fund and operate the Greenhouse. The meeting was extremely positive and delved into issues relating to nursery operations, fundraising, marketing and capital improvements. The proposal would need to be reviewed and approved by several governing bodies at the Cathedral which may take several months. The Cathedral is to be commended for their outreach and openness to explore our proposal. We expect further information no earlier than Fall 2008.

Washington Post covers Business Plan to Re-open Greenhouse

The Washington Post covers the closing of the Greenhouse and the Save the Greenhouse Coalition's business plan to re-open it as a profitable resource for the Cathedral. We are encouraged that the Greenhouse is covered by historic preservation and that the Cathedral is open to entertaining our proposal.

"Supporters Submit Plan to Revive Greenhouse", The Washington Post, July 1, 2008, page B4.

Who We Are

Save the Greenhouse is a coalition of concerned citizens - local residents, gardeners, environmentalists, members of the National Cathedral and individuals from all walks of life, who wish to see the Greenhouse continue. Save the Greenhouse Coalition seeks to find a workable path forward to preserve the Greenhouse, which has been a part of the Cathedral Close for almost 60 years.

Offers of Support

The Save the Greenhouse Coalition has received dozens of offers of support from landscape architects, nursery operators, financial advisors, lawyers, e-commerce experts, foundations and new donors. While the Save the Greenhouse Coalition is not raising funds, offers of support from individuals and foundations have exceeded $80,000 without a formal fundraising campaign. The potential to attract a new pool of untapped donors for the Greenhouse and the Cathedral is enormous.

Save the Greenhouse Coalition Proposal

1. Re-open the Greenhouse promptly with the help of professional nursery operators, gardeners, landscape architects, and volunteers. The Coalition has offered to assist in a fundraising effort to raise funds to off-set any operating deficit and to identify ways to increase the revenues of the greenhouse.

2. Consider an expanded retail operation for the Greenhouse which may include an educational component such as a state-of-the-art greenhouse that could serve as a science classroom for schoolchildren across the city. Foundations and individuals stand ready to fund a new and improved greenhouse which would provide revenue, educational outreach and community-building opportunities for the Cathedral.

The Coalition looks forward to the Cathedral entertaining this proposal and proceeding with positive and productive discussions to re-open the Greenhouse promptly.