With the help of a local bank and its employees, the Confluence Project’s performing arts center has secured a $1 million matching grant with a few days to spare before a Dec. 31 deadline. The Confluence fundraising campaign announced late Tuesday, Dec. 29, that BMO Harris and some of its employees have pledged $115,000 toward the project, pushing the total for the “It’s Time” campaign over the $500,000 threshold needed to earn a $1 million matching grant from an anonymous donor.

“BMO Harris is pleased to be an integral part of the Eau Claire community. We regularly seek out opportunities to partner on projects that will have a major impact on the community,” said Andrea Novak, BMO Harris vice president for community affairs. “As the Confluence Project has evolved, the broad-based collaborations as well as its goals for improving the community very much align with our goals at BMO Harris. We also believe in leveraging our support through sponsorships, so we’re looking forward to helping underwrite activities that will raise more funds for the Arts Center.”

Overall, philanthropic pledges for the shared university-community performing arts center has passed the $11 million mark, which – coupled with the anonymous $1 million – puts funding within sight of the $13.5 million needed in community donations to qualify for money budgeted by the state, city, and county for the project. A groundbreaking for the arts center is planned for the spring or summer of 2016. To learn more, visit www.communityfortheconfluence.org.