Fundraising for Mexican American Cultural Center projected to fall short

The non-profit group wanting to make the Mexican American Cultural Center bigger and better appears to be struggling to raise money.

In 2012, voters approved about $6 million in bond money to build the center. But the non-profit envisions something much grander.

The plan is to retrofit the Abraham Chavez theater in downtown El Paso to house the center.
The price tag has ballooned to $35 million.

The Mexican American Cultural Institute, or MACI, told City Council representatives their goal was to raise $20 million. The city of El Paso also pledged $10 million to cover the costs.

But consultants hired by the city predict the group trying to raise millions will fall short.

Lee and Associates was blunt in its assessment of the Mexican American Cultural Institute’s fundraising ability.

The study found a serious and widespread perception problem.

The authors wrote: “The community believes that the current leaders of the MACI have a culture and history of developing adversarial relationships, both internally and externally and do not reflect or communicate well with El Paso’s rising Mexican American leaders. In fundraising, perception is half the battle.”

The study has been presented to city council reps.

“I do not believe that the group is ready to enter an agreement with the city due to financial capacity, sustainability, no board, no board structure, no strong board structure and there is no strategic plan,” said Rep. Cassandra Hernandez-Brown.

She also pointed to the study’s other findings as well.

Fundraising experts said to successfully raise $20 million, the Mexican American Cultural Institute needs a five-year track record of raising an average of $2 million annually.

The consultants found in fiscal year 2016, the group raised $19,626 and $1,630 in 2017 to date.
And even if the non-profit makes the recommended changes such as coming up with a strategy plan and strengthening its board, the study projects the group will only be able to raise $3 to $7.5 million — far short of the initial $20 million goal.

“I think it’s this council’s responsibility including myself, that we find a partner who has a history and a record of sustainability and financial capacity. And without those two main factors it would be a bad decision for the city to move forward,” Hernandez-Brown said.