New Home Fund

Let’s Take Control of Our Future.

In 2021, our 75th anniversary, the GFO established a fund to purchase a permanent home.

A permanent home will allow us to:

  • Redirect our rent payments to building equity instead,
  • Free us from steady rent increases in a growing, already-expensive city,
  • Avoid the risk of having to move at the end of every lease (about every 10 years).

Now, in 2025, we are looking to complete the quest.

  • Toured over a dozen properties,
  • Established a requirements list,
  • Discussed financing with two financial institutions.

Finding a permanent home is essential because our very favorable, below-market lease in the Ford Building will end. At that time, rent will more than double, whether we sign a new lease in the Ford Building or go elsewhere. Purchasing our own building is a more affordable option.

During the past few years, we've made good progress. GFO has continued the multi-year New Home Campaign and saved money through careful stewardship of our finances. GFO now has a little over one million dollars we can use toward purchasing a new home.

In 2023, the New Home Committee kicked off the search for a building that meets our needs. After surveying the membership and touring many properties, we developed a list of requirements for a permanent home. We’ve even found a few promising options along the way.

The truth is that the buildings that would serve GFO's needs are just beyond our current reach.  We are still a couple hundred thousand dollars short of where we need to be.

This year is especially pivotal because the commercial property market is bouncing back. Demand for buildings of the size we need is increasing as offices downsize from larger buildings.  Building prices likely won’t be this low again.

A permanent home isn’t just a building -- it’s a foundation for the GFO’s future. It means financial security for our growing organization by freeing us from rapidly increasing rent payments and the cost of moving every 10-15 years. A permanent home will provide a secure space for the largest genealogical library in the Pacific Northwest and a stable venue to support research and education well into the future.

How Else Can You Help?

The New Home Committee can use expertise in several areas. If you or a close friend can help us with advice on structural engineering, construction, financing, or commercial moves, please let us know! Even a couple of hours by phone can help.

Also, if you know of a building coming up for sale that might fit our needs, please let us know! Not all buildings get listed online. The best way to inform us is to send a photo of the “for sale” sign and the building address. Contact the committee at newhome@gfo.org.

Thank you!
The New Home Committee

Matching Gifts

You may be able to double your gift through a matching gift program available through your former or current employer.  We recommend you contact your current or former employer's HR department to find out if this is an option.  For instance, Intel and Nike employees and retirees can match donations via Benevity.  If you need assistance with paperwork, contact give@gfo.org.

Estate Planning

If you would like to consider including GFO in your retirement or estate planning, such as through a gift annuity, trust, and/or bequest, please contact give@gfo.org.

 

 

If you prefer to mail in a donation, 

please use this Donation Form.

$0.00
$500,000.00
63%
We have raised $315,110.00 of our $500,000.00  goal.

 

GFO is pleased to achieve
Candid's gold level recognition.

Gold Transparency 2022 Award

Support GFO's New Home Initiative

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Any New Home funds not used for a new home or move will be transferred to the GFO Endowment Fund.
You can read GFO's New Home Fund Policy here.