The Bridge Capital Campaign

 

Moving From Vision to Execution

Transforming Our Shared Space for Future Generations

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity and dedication of this congregation, the Bridge Capital Campaign has officially transitioned into its next phase: turning pledges into physical reality and executing critical campus revitalization projects. Every pledge made to date helps ensure UUCF remains a safe, welcoming, and resilient sanctuary for all.

The Bridge Capital Campaign is a 3-year effort, launched in 2026, to care for UUCF’s sacred spaces, grow more sustainably, strengthen UUCF’s long-term resiliency, and honor the legacy of the congregation that has thrived over the last 70 years. It began with personal visits to every UUCF household – conversations about what this community means and what it needs going forward. For more background about the campaign, view the campaign origin video or scroll down for messages from members of the campaign team. From here on, this page will track campaign progress as pledges become projects.

Campaign Progress and Impact at a Glance

The community’s response to this campaign has been inspiring. Through collective support across 226 pledge units, we have laid a strong foundation for the work ahead.

With more than $697,000 already collected, we have been able to initiate vital campus improvements immediately — prioritizing debt elimination alongside essential safety and operational repairs.

Current Project Status and Early Accomplishments

The Board of Directs remains committed to full transparency and demonstrating immediate, tangible results as pledge funds arrive. Here is where the active projects currently stand:

• Mortgage Payoff: Pledges collected this spring were used to pay off UUCF’s remaining $416,641.11 mortgage balance. Fully eliminating that debt service frees up about $45K/year for UUCF’s core mission and programs long into the future.
• Parking Lot Lighting Revamp: Successfully completed for a total cost of $5,900. This critical upgrade restored evening visibility and enhanced safety across campus parking areas.
• Sanctuary Projection and Display: Extensive technical evaluations are complete, and the board has approved a plan to replace the current Sanctuary projectors with two LED video screens. More information about this transition will be coming shortly.
• Critical HVAC Replacement: Detailed scoping and vendor reviews are currently underway to replace the highest-priority heating and cooling units in the Sanctuary.

Stewardship and Project Governance

To ensure every dollar is managed responsibly, the Board established a framework to sequence projects as funds arrive. Execution is overseen by the UUCF Building Committee – led by Chairperson David Lattanzi alongside staff, lay members, board liaisons, and financial leads – to manage vendor selection, budget tracking, and implementation.

For major design initiatives, such as the Sanctuary projector replacement, HVAC replacement, upcoming Program Building remodeling, possible Sanctuary reconfigurations, and restroom modernizations, small project teams and stakeholder listening sessions will ensure UUCF voices guide every major step.

How to Get Involved and Stay Connected

This campaign belongs to the entire UUCF community, and the Board welcomes your continued participation, ideas, and feedback as we shape our shared future:

• Make a Pledge! If you haven’t yet pledged to the Bridge Capital Campaign, your support will help us accomplish our vision. Add your name to this form and a member of the Bridge Campaign team will contact you to schedule a pledge visit.
• Pledge Fulfillment: If you have already pledged to the campaign, you can easily set up recurring pledge payments or fulfill your pledge online through the UUCF member portal.
• Connect with Leadership: Have questions or ideas? Reach out directly to the Board of Directors at board@uucf.org.
• Attend Open Meetings: All Board meetings and Building Committee updates are open to members and friends. You can find meeting information on the UUCF calendar.

What’s The Bridge Campaign?

David Michael

Paul Riddle

Ruth Hersh Perry

Check out the text from Ruth’s testimonial.

Steve Bogart

Betsy Bicknell

Laura Higgins

Matt Reider

David Saunders

Craig Bennett

Marcia Tugendhat

Cy Shuster

Campaign Team member Corynne Gerow

Campaign co-chairs Anthony and Peter Salvi-Exner

Sermon by Senior Minister Rev. David Miller