School district explores $7.5M–$10M athletics campaign after feasibility study finds interest but few major donors

The School District of New Berlin reviewed results of a third‑party feasibility study and wealth screen Thursday that evaluated whether the district could mount a capital campaign to renovate outdoor athletic facilities at its two high schools. District task‑force lead Dave Cody and consultant Jason Perry of Abundant Philanthropy presented findings and recommended exploring talks with two corporate prospects before deciding whether to launch a campaign.

The study, which the district and the Education Foundation split $20,000 to fund, interviewed 33 major gift prospects, received 186 survey responses and screened more than 4,000 households. Jason Perry said the research found “over 90% of the individuals that we communicated with in some fashion indicated that they would make a gift or would at least consider making a gift to this process,” though he and the district staff also told the board the list of clear five‑ and…