Since 2011, the people of Bainbridge Island and other generous supporters of the Bainbridge Land Trust's mission have shown their belief in the value of land conservation and open space by contributing to the acquisition of the Hilltop property.  The exciting news is that we are 90% of the way toward our fundraising goal.  The challenging news is that we need an additional $360,000 before we can close this campaign and turn our attention to the many new challenges that await.

The Bainbridge Island Land Trust has until 2016 to pay off a Note that the Seller accepted instead of full payment at the beginning.  If we are unable to raise the final $360,000 needed, one possibility is that we will have to sell off a portion of the property to a private buyer.  The prospect of a large house occupying the south end of the beautiful meadow is unsettling to contemplate, but the Land Trust is not in a position to finance this purchase from other funds.  That $360,000 will have to come from somewhere.

Read on to find out how you can help keep the Hilltop property intact.

I’ve already contributed, so what can I do?
One thing you can do, of course, is to make another contribution.  If further direct support fits into your charitable giving plans, please consider doing that.

Here is an interesting fact:  There are about 9,500 households on Bainbridge Island. Almost 500 Island households have contributed to the Hilltop campaign.  If asked, most of the people who have not contributed to Hilltop would say that they support the work of the Land Trust, and think that the Hilltop acquisition is a wonderful thing.  But they just haven’t gotten around to making a pledge or writing a check. 

We are blessed on Bainbridge Island with many generous people with the means to make a big difference to the variety of non-profit activities that are so much a part of the fabric of our Island.

So another thing you can do is tell five friends who you think could make a difference for us.  Tell them that you are a Hilltop supporter, and that their help is needed now.

And if you aren’t comfortable “making the ask” yourself, give us the names of people you think we should contact.

With your continued support, we will get this last 10% of the fundraising done, and the idea of that big house in the meadow will just be a bad dream.

Thanks!

Read news regarding the new Hilltop Trail and 5 Additional Acres.

Click here to view a short video clip about the project.