I have some very exciting news to share about our renovation/expansion project that moves us much closer to our goal of doubling the size of the beginner glass blowing program in an updated space:

We received a $1,000,000 gift to the Glass Lab renovation/expansion campaign in May and our Renovation/Expansion campaign has just received a challenge pledge that could, if fulfilled, bring us up to 80% of our $2.5M goal for funding a renovated and expanded Glass Lab. A few weeks ago, a generous donor proposed a pledge in the amount of $250,000 to be donated if, and only if, matching funds equal to that amount can be raised before the end of the calendar year. We really need to match this gift so that we can stay on schedule to start construction of a new Glass Lab next spring and start fall 2014 classes in a new space!

As the year draws to a close and you begin to consider making charitable contributions, please think of the MIT Glass Lab, and remember that from now until January 1, 2014 your contribution will be doubled during this next two months!

We need your help more than ever if we are to raise the rest of our goal and start construction of the new lab on schedule.

You might be surprised to know how many people have taken the beginning and intermediate glass blowing classes over the years: almost 1000 people in the last two decades! Over the last four years, many of you have helped by making donations at every level, and these donations have gradually added up to the point of making a difference. Working together you have already been a powerful force in getting this campaign started, and together you can finish it. I hope that you will consider the MIT Glass Lab when you make decisions about charitable giving this year, and I hope at this time next year to be writing another letter to invite you to a grand opening of the newly-renovated MIT Glass Lab, sometime in the fall of 2014.

Thanks so very much for your past, present, and future support of this unique program at MIT.

Peter Houk
Lab Director