A nonprofit that hopes to save Ballard’s iconic “Up” house is nearing the end of their online fundraiser. OPAL (Of People and Land) Community Land Trust is trying to raise money to move Edith Macefield’s little home to Orcas Island so it may be used for low-income housing. They launched a Kickstarter to raise funds, but so far have only raised 10 percent of the $205,000 goal. If the money is raised, they’ll use it to offset the costs of moving, renovating the home and purchasing land on the island. The campaign will end September 30.
OPAL says they’ve been working to build major donor support in addition to the funds pledged on Kickstarter, adding that an anonymous donor pledged a $50,000 challenge donation if $100,000 is raised from other sources. The organization will honor all donors by placing a their name on a wall inside the house, and will invite all supporters to a house-warming party.
If the campaign doesn’t raise at least $175,000 by September 30, the fate of the house will be uncertain, according to OPAL.
