REBUILDING THE TEMPLE
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Temple Aaron of Trinidad ColoradoFunding Opportunities and Needs for Temple Aaron of Trinidad, Colorado
$1,475
raised by 13 people
$2,500,000 goal
2 years left
TOTAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN ESTIMATE: $2.5 million
L’dor v’dor Endowment: $1,000,000
To ensure the continuity of basic operations and maintenance for another 100 years, an endowment will be created. A new regional model of Temple membership and affiliation, from Albuquerque to Denver and from Santa Fe to Boulder, is being created to ensure ongoing programming to keep the Temple operationally viable and strong.
Raise the Roof Campaign: $500,000
The Temple’s complex, one of a kind original pressed metal roof, with multiple peaks and valleys, needs repair and full replacement in kind (with like or replicated original materials). A $50,000 State Historical Fund grant resulted in a full investigation and emergency repairs for the roof in 2023. A new $237,714 State Historical Fund grant awarded in June, 2024, requiring a $79,238 Temple match, will be used to complete Phase I of the campaign. Phase II will cost at least $185,000 for the porch, pyramid, and onion dome.
The Grand Temple (Exterior) $500,000
The unique, Exotic Revival style Temple, designed by master architect Isaac Hamilton Rapp, stands like a sentinel high on a hill at 3rd Street and Maple overlooking downtown Trinidad. It is a contributing building to the El Corazon de Trinidad National Historic District and was approved by the National Park Service as a National Landmark (NHL) in December, 2023. The Temple’s many unique architectural features, and estimated costs for their full rehabilitation, include:
• The Temple Mount (retaining walls/stairs/security) security) $150,000
• Masonry and cornice repairs for four facades $250.00
• The Twelve Tribes of Israel (windows/colored glass) $100,000
The Inner Sanctum (Interior): $250,000
From the grand sanctuary to the assembly room, and from the library/museum to the social hall, the Temple’s many unique historic features are in need of preservation and restoration to their original condition, while at the same time making improvements to meet modern code, accessibility and functionality. These include:
• The Sanctuary (Including Bimah, Holy Ark and ceiling) $100,000
• The Assembly Room (south of entry by kitchen) $25,000
• Library/Museum/Archive (north of entry) $25,000
• Mishpacha Social Hall (large rectangular west room) $50,000
• Historic Estey Pipe Organ $25,000
• Vestibule and Stairways to Sanctuary (inc. portal window) $25,000
Remodeling for fully functional kitchen: $75,000
We Jews love food, and it is an integral part of our life cycle events, religious services and social and family celebrations! The Temple’s antiquated kitchen, which has not been upgraded in decades, needs improvements to enable supporting the many events and activities now underway and envisioned for the future. A fully modern, code compliant and functional kitchen in its original configuration can be accommodated within the existing kitchen footprint in the historic building. Help with design and implementation of a full retrofitted kitchen is needed to continue to serve the community at our many scheduled events.
...And now for the sexy stuff! ADA compliant bathrooms $125,000
The Temple’s antiquated and cramped restrooms are not ADA compliant and need reconfiguration and plumbing code updates to make them functional for the building and visitors.