With their deadline less than a month away, Kansas University officials have yet to hit the halfway point in their goal of raising $7.5 million toward an expansion of the Lied Center.

Raising that $7.5 million by June 30 would unlock the door to another $7.5 million floated as a challenge grant by the Lied Foundation of Las Vegas.

“We’re still working at it,” said Tim Van Leer, the performing arts center’s director. “This is a significant challenge for us, one that is taking us right up to the deadline.”

Dale Seuferling, president of the KU Endowment Association, said Tuesday about $2 million has been raised for the project, which would include an 800-seat auditorium and other arts-related features. Half of that is a $1 million gift from Ross and Marianna Kistler Beach of Lawrence.

No time frame for the expansion has been set. If the $7.5 million isn’t raised by June 30, the Lied Foundation, which donated $13 million to the existing Lied Center, has said it would donate $5 million to the expansion, and KU officials have said they would re-evaluate whether to move forward with the project.

Seuferling said his association has talked with two or three potential donors who could make a major gift – likely between $4 million and $5 million – to make the project financially feasible. If that major gift is secured, Seuferling said, other donors have indicated they will contribute enough to complete the $15 million project.

Seuferling said the project seemed to have appeal only to potential donors who live near Lawrence and who can attend Lied Center events. That was one limiting factor in the fund-raising effort.

Fund raising is under way for an expansion of Kansas University's Lied Center. The existing building, left, would get an expanded lobby. The addition, at right, includes an 800-seat auditorium, sculpture garden, art gallery and education center.

“We’re hopeful,” he said. “Because of the short time frame, there isn’t enough time to raise the money in $100,000 or $500,000 increments.”

The Endowment Association and Lied Center also have kicked off a seat-sponsorship campaign. For $1,000, donors can sponsor a seat in the new auditorium.

The 800-seat auditorium would provide a more intimate setting for chamber music, lectures and School of Fine Arts performances than does the current 2,000-seat auditorium. It would be one level, without a balcony, and would be built east of the existing Lied Center.

In addition, the expansion would include a 9,000-square-foot art gallery, an outdoor sculpture garden and an education center for performers to have master classes.

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Van Leer said he would be working hard to secure the funding by the end of the month.

“We still hold a great deal of optimism,” he said. “There are potential donors we’ve talked to that we’re waiting for a response from. This is something we really believe is not just a KU project. It’s a community project and state project because of the Lied Center’s involvement with the community and state.”