The Ruth Mott Foundation has confirmed the Atwood Stadium restoration project will receive up to $100,000 in matching funds, effective April 1, 2014. In a letter to Kettering University officials, the Foundation has granted the funds to assist with the campaign for Atwood Stadium, led by the Friends of Atwood Stadium, a group of community volunteers.

Built in 1929 and a part of Kettering University since September 2013, the stadium has undergone previous restoration, including making the 11,000 seat stadium historically accurate to the original design.

Matching funds from the Ruth Mott Foundation will help the Atwood Stadium restoration efforts.

“The entire community benefits from Atwood’s restoration,” said Kettering University President Robert K. McMahan. “New turf, updated facilities and the opportunity for exciting events to return to the stadium all contribute to downtown Flint and the riverfront corridor economic resurgence. We are delighted and deeply encouraged by the generosity and vision of this gift.”

Judge Duncan Beagle, the Friends of Atwood chairperson, calls the gift “transformative.”

“We will be working tirelessly to get the stadium back to the truly remarkable venue that has served the region for so many years,” Beagle said. “If anyone is interested in supporting us, now is the time.”

The campaign goal is $1.8 million. The stadium has already received over $150,000 in support. Gifts made through June 1, 2016, will be matched by the Ruth Mott Foundation up to the $100,000 total. For more information, contact John McGarry, director of Atwood Stadium, (810) 762-9735 or Jack Stock, Kettering University director of external relations, (810) 762-7873.