A gift of $5 million from Target has pushed the Minnesota Orchestra past a $40 million fundraising goal for its Orchestra Hall building project. With the Target donation, the orchestra has raised $43 million to expand and refurbish the 1974 hall's lobby and surrounding terraces.

Target's is the campaign's largest corporate gift. The state of Minnesota contributed $14 million through state bonding, and one individual gave $5 million, according to Michael Henson, the orchestra's president and CEO.

At the same time, the organization announced that the building project is part of an even larger fundraising effort it calls the Building for the Future Campaign. That initiative has raised $82 million toward a $100 million goal and has been talked about only within the orchestra and the philanthropic community. The campaign includes $40 million for the building project, $30 million for the orchestra's endowment and $30 million to support artistic and education programs.

However, Henson said, within that framework it's possible that more money could be dedicated to the renovation.

The $40 million was a "focused budget," he said. "By passing that amount, we're not going to increase the scope of the project, but we will increase the quality of finishes and other aspects that give us additional value."

Henson also said certain donors specifically wish to contribute to the building program, which would dictate what funds could be dedicated to the other aspects of the larger campaign. With $43 million earmarked for renovation, that means $39 million (about two-thirds of the combined $60 million goal) has been raised for the other two initiatives.

Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects has designed a refurbished building exterior, expanded lobby spaces and a prominent entrance on Peavey Plaza. Drawings were unveiled in April (viewable at www.minnesota orchestra.org) and Henson said he hopes to break ground in June 2012, although "It's possible some work could be done in 2011."

Once ground is broken, the hall will be closed for one year, and the orchestra will play in other Twin Cities venues.

Graydon Royce • 612-673-7299