Chelsea Groton Foundation Presents $100,000 to National Coast Guard Museum Association

New London, CT – The National Coast Guard Museum Association, Inc. gratefully announces a generous pledge of $100,000 from the Chelsea Groton Foundation. This commitment is equivalent to the largest gifts in the history of the Foundation. Other recipients of $100,000 grants were Lawrence & Memorial Cancer Center and Global City Norwich. This commitment is the first major gift from a mutual or community bank to the campaign.
 
The multi-year commitment brings total pledges and gifts to the National Coast Guard Museum project to $38 million including Federal, State and private funds. The gift also pushes regional support to a total of $1.3 million from Connecticut donors. With this announcement, the Chelsea Groton Foundation has awarded over $3.2 million in grants to hundreds of scientific, educational and charitable organizations located within the Bank’s market area.
 
“For the 164 years Chelsea Groton Bank has been in New London County, we've seen the impact the Coast Guard has had on our community,” expressed Michael Rauh, President and CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank, and President of the Chelsea Groton Foundation. “From the Coast Guard's tireless service and commitment to protecting our waters, our residents and our environment, to the jobs and residents who have come to this area because of the Coast Guard, we are incredibly grateful for all who have served in the past and serve today,"
 
“The National Coast Guard Museum Association is extremely grateful to the Chelsea Groton Foundation for their support,” commented Richard J. Grahn, President and CEO of the Museum Association. “Speaking on behalf of our Board of Directors, I can assure you that the generosity and drive of our donors to see this museum built inspires us all. For the Foundation to equal its largest contribution ever to this project reinforces its leadership position as a community partner.”
 
The future National Coast Guard Museum will be built along the Thames River waterfront in Downtown New London, immediately adjacent to the historic Union Station. The architectural and engineering team have completed the Design Development set of drawings for the project. A complete set of Construction Documents is expected next year. 
 
In understanding the impact of having a national museum in the region, Mr. Rauh said, “The Coast Guard is deserving of a place to share their history and teach the community about their many contributions.  The Chelsea Groton Foundation is proud to pledge our support to the future National Coast Guard Museum, which will not only serve as a place to educate and inspire generations, but with an anticipated 300,000 visitors annually, has the potential to bring millions of dollars each year into our local economy, which would benefit all who live and work in New London and the surrounding region.”
 
To celebrate this important gift commitment, the Chelsea Groton Foundation held a check presentation to the Museum Association this morning at the site where the museum is to be constructed. A short ceremony at the project site sign featured remarks by Rauh and Grahn.
 
Here is an interview with Grahn following the presentation.

About the National Coast Guard Museum Association
The National Coast Guard Museum Association, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit charitable organization with a mission to establish the future National Coast Guard Museum, which will educate, engage and inspire visitors by honoring the courage and skill of the men and women of the United States Coast Guard through a variety of artifacts, exhibits, interactive experiences, and educational programs designed to their accomplishments in the past, present and future.
 
About the Chelsea Groton Foundation
The Chelsea Groton Foundation was formed in June 1998 as a Section 501(c) (3) organization. Initially endowed with a $2 million donation from Chelsea Groton Bank, and recently gifted an additional $5 million from the Bank, the Foundation has, to date, awarded over $3.2 million in grants to hundreds of scientific, educational and charitable organizations located within the Bank’s market area. To learn more, visit www.chelseagroton.com/CGFoundation.