A CAMPAIGN FOR THE NATALIE THOMAS STUDENT CENTER
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
We have enhanced the student experience by completing the Royal Eatery and Gather Space. We now have the opportunity to turn the Natalie Thomas Gymnasium into a fully functioning student center that will serve as a flexible space for all students. The Natalie Thomas Student Center will be the center of it all. We will provide space for students and members of our TFA family to attend chapel, study, socialize, participate in athletics, host events, and assemblies, attend Fine Arts performances,
and engage in campus life. The renovated facility will provide collaborative spaces for students to connect on campus.
We invite all families to participate in the campaign for this special project. In the following pages, you will learn more about how the Natalie Thomas Student Center will function, as well as how your family can partner with us in contributing a gift.
We look forward to celebrating 100% participation from our families in this important facility.
Why should my family participate in giving to this campaign?
CAMPAIGN Q&A
Since its inception, The First Academy has been able to fulfill its mission and train future Christian Leaders because of the dedication of our Gospel Patrons. These generous families have made TFA one of their most important charitable organizations. The buildings our children enjoy today are a tribute to their sacrificial giving to advance our mission. Now, we are creating a space at the heart of our campus that each and every student will utilize. A student center where
lasting memories will be made, lessons will be learned, friendships will be strengthened, and faith will be magnified through chapel programming.
Without your gift, large or small, we will not be able to reach our goal. Please take time to review the enclosed material and then respond with a pledge amount to make this dream a reality for our students and faculty.
Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed!”
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With the rise in labor costs and materials, it is our goal to be good stewards of the funds that God blesses us with. We already have a viable facility that is located at the heart of our campus that we are able to renovate for a much lower cost than building a brand new building. The buildings we have been blessed to host weekly chapel, Fine Arts events, and special assemblies within are owned
by First Orlando. TFA pays monthly rent for use of the church facilities. First Orlando has a fairly busy calendar, and there are times when those spaces are not available for our use. The school and the church have a wonderful relationship and have been able to work through space availability needs when they do arise, but it would be a blessing to have this multi-purpose facility within the TFA campus.
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Why are we renovating a currently standing facility rather than building a brand-new structure or continuing to use one of the existing buildings?
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How will the facility be scheduled to ensure that Chapel, Fine Arts, and Athletics all have use of the space?
The Natalie Thomas Student Center will serve as an important extension of the classroom for all students at The First Academy. The space will provide flexible options to continue growing our Fine Arts and Athletics programs while filling the need for a chapel space behind the safety of our gated TFA campus. Fine Arts productions and athletic events will be adequately calendared to ensure that rehearsals, shows, programs, and athletic practices and contests are able to be held in the space. This space, along with the Cramer Family Field House, will continue to be utilized for PE and Lower School sports needs throughout the year.
How was the Builder and General Contractor selected for the Natalie Thomas Student Center project?
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The First Academy has a long-standing relationship with Keator Construction.
Whenever the school is preparing to begin a building project, multiple bids are received.
Keator Construction is the trusted and approved builder and general contractor for First Orlando, and TFA has been approved to move forward with Keator Construction for this project.
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How long is the construction process? When will the space be move-in ready for student use?
Our goal is to begin construction in early spring of 2023 in order to have the Natalie Thomas Student Center ready for use by students in fall of 2023.
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Will the audio-visual elements be safe when the space is in use for athletics?
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The First Academy has partnered with a respected vendor skilled in creating spaces like ours. With the ultimate goal of building a multi-purpose facility that will serve all of our students, we are developing a system that will be tailor-made to support our unique goals.
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Will both performing arts and visual arts be showcased in the facility?
Both performing arts and visual arts will be showcased in the Natalie Thomas Student Center. With the addition of an art gallery display in the lobby, student art will have the ability to be showcased all year long. The performing arts and the band program will have access to the theatre space and all of the audio-visual elements to create one-of-a-kind productions.
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GROWING CHRISTIAN LEADERS
THE ONE BIG NEED is to complete renovations of the Natalie Thomas Gymnasium to create a fully-functioning Chapel, Fine Arts space, Athletic Venue, and Student Center for our students, families, and staff. Tying in the Student Center atmosphere with the Gather space and Kitchen & Eatery at the heart of our campus will truly complete the vision of a bustling student and family community on The First Academy’s campus.
The Advantages Include: 1CHAPEL AND ASSEMBLIES FOR ALL DIVISIONS
The renovated space will allow for all divisions to host chapel and special assemblies within the safety of the campus gates. The Natalie Thomas Student Center will serve as an extension of the academic classroom, offering a designated area on TFA’s campus to focus on the spiritual growth of our students in our weekly chapel experience.
2SAFETY AND SECURITY
The students are currently walking over to First Orlando for chapel and large assemblies. While we have been blessed to be able to rent facilities from the church, the movement of students from the safe perimeter of our school campus to church facilities each week continues to be one of
our largest safety and security concerns. Additionally, we will install a covered walkway to connect the Cramer Family Field House to the Natalie Thomas Student Center. This added safety feature will allow for students to travel to nearly all campus buildings safely under the covered walkways.
3FINE ARTS
With seating for just under 600, the Natalie Thomas Student Center will be the hub for campus-wide Fine Arts performances. With the installation of all of the needed audio visual equipment and staging, TFA will be able to host larger productions and elevate our Fine Arts Program.
4LOWER SCHOOL ATHLETICS & PE
The space will continue to function as a gym and serve the Lower School for their PE and Lower School Sports needs throughout the year.
many ways you can give
For questions or assistance with giving, please contact our Development Office at 407-206-8819 or communications@ thefirstacademy.org
1. You can give a gift online at http://thefirstacademy.org/imagine
2. You can give through the TFA App by clicking the "Imagine" logo at the bottom of the screen.
3. t Please charge my credit card:
r American Express
4.One-Time Gift of _______________________
t Enclosed is a check payable to The First Academy. Memo for: “Natalie Thomas Student Center Campaign”
r Visa
5. Multi-Year Pledge of $_____________
r Mastercard
r Discover Card Number: _______________________________
Exp. Date: __________ Security Code: _________
If you are interested in making a pledge or have already made a "one-time” gift, would you consider a multi-year pledge to maximize your gift?
t 2 years t 3 years t ____ years
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Cardholder Signature
Name: __________________________________________________
OTHER TYPES OF GIFTS
Address: ________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: _________________________________________
Home Phone: ___________________________________________
Cell: ____________________________________________________
I AM A :
t Parent t Alumnus (class of _________ )
t Friend of TFA
t Grandparents of ____________________________________
• Appreciated Assets
• Real Estate
LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY IRA Charitable Contribution
Those who have reached 70.5 years of age are permitted to make tax-free "qualified charitable distributions" up to $100,000 from an IRA to The First Academy*.
* The First Academy is a 501©(3) Non-Profit Organization, which makes your tax-deductable to the fullest extent of the law. Please consult your tax advisor to see how your gift to TFA can benefit you.
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