Bess Poole and Anne Thomas, co-chairs of the effort, announced the Bridge to the Future Endowment Campaign for the Gainesville-based free clinic Thursday night.
A donation from the Joe Hatfield estate sparked the decision to start the endowment.
"We've been meeting with various community members and soliciting different gifts. We've had a very generous response from the community," GNC Development Director Mary Baxter said.
GNC has already raised nearly $3.36 million toward the goal with all board of directors members participating.
The remaining $1.6 million is being raised through the public campaign, announced at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center. Baxter said they'll use it for operating expenses.
"It costs a lot of money to run a free clinic. Our services are free of charge completely. We serve uninsured patients, provide medical care, pharmacy and dental care and specialty care," Baxter said.
GNC officials hope the effort goes smoothly. A feasibility study was conducted in 2008 by an outside consultant who determined that the community had an excellent opinion of GNC and was supportive of the endowment, according to GNC.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/5/274728