The Missouri Athletic Club’s Preservation Foundation received a $200,000 matching gift grant from the Robert J. Trulaske Jr. Family Foundation to restore the exterior of the Downtown Clubhouse. The total cost of the restoration project is $500,000. Learn more about the project, the Robert J. Trulaske Jr. Family Foundation, the MAC’s Preservation Foundation and how gifts to the Preservation Foundation can make this project possible to benefit MAC members and the City of St. Louis.

Who will it benefit:
This project will be transformational to the downtown corridor, supporting not only the businesses and people who live and work in downtown, but also the architectural history that exists within our great building. The MAC is thrilled to join in the resurgence of downtown, joining other projects such as Ballpark Village, CityArchRiver and the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station.

What will your donation do:
The Building on Tradition Campaign will focus on the exterior of the building on both the east and south elevations including tuckpointing, power washing, restoring of stained glass windows and removal of harmful materials.In the past, the Preservation Foundation has supported transformational projects to the Downtown Clubhouse. Such projects include a rehaul of the HVAC system, renovations of bathrooms and hotel rooms and life safety compliance upgrades.

When will this project take place:
With dollars raised, we are hoping to start the project in the spring of 2020.

Why you should consider supporting this project now:
The MAC has been a St. Louis institution for more than 100 years. Our members have shown a continued dedication and commitment to downtown St. Louis. This campaign fulfills a tradition to the City of St. Louis that the MAC has a continued presence of leadership throughout our community. Your donation will add value to the membership and the historical corridor. We have completed several projects that have been inwardly focused and look forward to fulfilling a project that impacts so many publics.

DONATE HERE

About the Robert J. Trulaske Jr. Family Foundation:
-  Robert J. Trulaske Jr. was a legacy member of the Missouri Athletic Club.
-  Throughout his life, he was dedicated to many efforts surrounding the philanthropic community of St. Louis.
-  The Robert J. Trulaske Jr. Family Foundation was formed in an effort to further his love for the outdoors. He established a foundation dedicated to preserving open spaces and the beauty of historical buildings in St. Louis.
-  The Trulaske family are still members at the MAC. Through this gift, they will honor Robert. J. Trulaske Jr. and continue to support the Downtown Clubhouse.

About the MAC Preservation Foundation: 
-  In 1978, the City of St. Louis Planning and Urban Design deemed that the Missouri Athletic Club building that sits at 405 Washington Avenue was historically significant. The City of St. Louis explained that the building was so architecturally significant that it qualified to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Thus, the Preservation Foundation was developed.
-  Nearly 12 years ago, through the combined efforts of three of the MAC’s past presidents, Kim Tucci, Don Gunn and Gerry Ortbals, the Preservation Foundation was granted non-profit status.
-  The MAC has a long tradition of giving back to the St. Louis community. To add value to the membership experience, these past presidents founded the Preservation Foundation. Along with many others, they believed MAC members would enjoy contributing to the preservation of the Club’s historical treasure, the Downtown Clubhouse, through charitable giving.
-  Since its inception, the Preservation Foundation has focused mostly on inward projects that have helped maintain the infrastructure of the Downtown Clubhouse, which was built in 1916. In recent years, the Preservation Foundation has helped fund a complete overhaul of the clubhouse’s HVAC system through the PACE project. Smaller projects include renovations of bathrooms, hotel rooms and life safety compliance.

For more information or to donate, contact Cynthia Goudy, Director of Foundations at 314-797-5474 or [email protected].