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In 1976, the Foundation for Mental Health, Inc., now known as the David Lawrence Foundation, was formed and in 1977, became incorporated. At the time, the not-for-profit was one of the first Foundations in the country whose purpose was to help a publicly funded community mental health center through private fundraising. Since its inception, the Foundation has generated millions of dollars for the Center for both operations and capital needs.
 
In 1980, the Foundation embarked on its first Endowment Campaign called the Foundation for Mental Health Fund with a goal of raising $1,000,000. Throughout the 80s, this fund and other fundraising initiatives helped the Foundation achieve their fundraising goals to complete the build out of the Centers main campus on Golden Gate Parkway and acquire and construct the Centers new satellite location on Horseshoe drive.
In 1980, the Foundation opened Encore, a used furniture resale shop on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. Also in the early 80s the Foundation Auxiliary was formed whose main purpose was to staff the resale shop and manage the day to day operations of Encore. This army of volunteers also helped with public awareness events and community involvement activities.
Due to the popularity of Encore and the increasing demand for quality resale furniture, in 1988, the Foundation built a large, department store style, second location of Encore on Davis Boulevard and the Foundations main offices were moved to that location.
In the 1990s, the Foundation raised a significant amount of money to help with the Centers increasing need for facility expansion. The Foundation raised funds to help the Center acquire the new satellite office location on Tamiami Trail North, expand the Bridges program, and fund the expansion of the new Detoxification Unit.
In 1999 after 19 years, Encore moved its Fifth Avenue location to 10th Street South due to increasing rental costs of the growingly popular downtown Naples address.
In 2000, the David Lawrence Foundation began the Restoring and Rebuilding Lives Campaign to increase its endowment fund. The goal of the campaign was to raise $6,000,000.
In 2004, the Foundation acquired a 5-acre parcel located just down the road from the main DLC Campus on Golden Gate Parkway for the Centers future development and expansion needs.
Today, the Foundation is working hard to meet the growing financial needs of the Center. In addition to the continued operating support the Foundation provides to the Center each year, the Foundation is working on a plan to help meet the Centers facility expansion requirements.
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