Dede Wilsey is a down-to-earth and straight forward fundraiser. She does not believe in donation-tomorrow. She vividly recalls how she once talked to Steven Read at a Mondovi’s Napa party. She asked the city noble and the fellow museum trustee to donate money for the rebuilding of de Young Museum. The articulate notable tried to side-step the issue by asking for some project details. Dede Wilsey was not impressed with this dilly-dallying tactic. She told him flatly that it was not her style to receive donation. Dede Wilsey coaxed him about his love for art and art works. She asked him to care about the architecture and structure of the museum. The gentleman was reminded that he had money and he could spare some for the museum. Steven Read was finally constrained to donate $ 1 million there and then.
Dede Wilsey was eventually able to raise around $ 190 million for this art work project. She is just a charming and lovely lady, who knows precisely, how much people can afford. She had to tap different rich luminaries and friends for this mega project. In fact, she had to wage a full-fledged campaign to rebuild this city owned museum. She could have canvassed city administration to shove in public money. But she preferred private money and successfully rebuilt the museum.
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