Nicole Linder, CEO of the Marjaree Mason Center, said raising the last bit of money to pay for the domestic violence shelter’s new $21 million headquarters will be “easy-peasy.” And while it still requires giving, a $1 million match announced from a major donor means gift amounts will be doubled.

Outside Marjaree Mason’s new headquarters Monday, the organization announced that until Dec. 1, any gifts to the nonprofit will be matched by the Isnardi Foundation, up to $1 million.

The Fresno-based nonprofit named its building after Fresno pharmacist Vincent Insnardi, whose organization donated $850,000 in April.

By getting the building fully funded, Linder said future money can go to programs and services rather than long-term debt.

“The Marjaree Mason Center has had this dream for decades, quite honestly, about the ability to expand and grow, but we didn’t necessarily have a pot of money to do it,” Linder said. “There’s a lot of courageous efforts on the behalf of the board of directors to say, ‘We’re going to do this and we’re going to trust that the community is going to rally behind it.’ And they really have.”

Donations to Marjaree Mason Center can be made at this link.

Project Finished On Time, On Budget

Having already raised $18 million of the $21 million price tag, the $2 million from the match and donation puts the nonprofit only $1 million away from having the building at Del Mar and Bullard avenues fully funded.

A $250,000 surprise donation from Producers Dairy on Monday pushed the needle even further.

“The Marjaree Mason Center’s work to empower survivors of domestic violence is deeply meaningful to us as it helps individuals and families move from fear to safety and, ultimately, a brighter future,” said Scott Shehadey, president of Producers.

The center plans to have construction on the building complete by the end of the year — which would mean the project meeting its timeline and budget.

Ashlee Wolf, director of philanthropy and communication, said several contractors and architects donated labor and services.

Marissa Bower, chief operating office of BMY Construction, said Pacific Gas & Electric even had the building powered up two weeks early.

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New Building Doubles Footprint for Services

Genesis Wilson, president-elect of Marjaree Mason Center, said that of the 10 largest counties in California, Fresno County has the most domestic violence calls to law enforcement per capita. She said the services provided at the headquarters will help the organization’s mission.

“It’s amazing to think that this building behind me will double our service footprint, create physical and emotional safety and allow the Marjaree Mason Center to provide services addressing the root cause of domestic violence in a way never done before,” Wilson said.

The new headquarters, which was previously the Milan Institute, brings together the nonprofit’s administrative teams on the top floor and services for clients on the bottom floor.