ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE – AGENTS OF CHANGE
REVITALIZATION PROJECT

ASSIGNMENT

To develop a feasibility study that would test the marketplace of potential individual, foundation and corporate supporters; as well as potential content collaborators towards embarking on a $15-million campaign. Subsequently, A&C was hired to help position the Centre for corporate and foundation funding, and to actively participate in the fundraising process.

CHALLENGE

The Ontario Science Centre had successfully obtained a $15- million matching commitment from the Ontario Government’s Superbuild Fund to create a project based on the concept of ‘innovation’. As a key feature of the project required that it be partnership-based, the Science Centre needed to identify and meet with potential ‘concept’ partners, as well as those that might be funding-based. The project was still in the conceptual form when the feasibility study began; hence, the challenge was to communicate the concept in general enough terms to engage potential concept partners, but specifically enough to engage potential funding partners.

SOLUTION

A&C worked collaboratively with the Science Centre to identify key potential concept and funding partners in diverse disciplines, and then proceeded to contact approximately 75 individuals. From these approaches, A&C conducted 45 meetings, which ccomplished the goals of cultivating both potential concept partners and potential funding partners. In
addition, A&C conducted roundtable sessions to further engage concept partners. Rounding out this phase of work with the OSC, A&C assisted in aligning the Campaign Plan with the Centre’s complete revitalization concept. Under subsequent contract, A&C has worked with the Ontario Science Centre to secure major financial support for Agents of Change. For more than two years, A&C has worked closely with the staff of the Ontario Science Centre and with its Board and Campaign Chair, Nancy Lockhart. In collaboration with A&C, $17-million in funding has been realized with two leadership gifts: $15-million from the Weston Family Foundation and $2 million from DuPont Canada, a long-time supporter.