A new grant of $1.8 million for the Hundertwasser Arts Centre project brings the money in the bag to only 20 per cent short of the target.
Sitting comfortably now on just under $13m, the HAC and Wairau Maori Art Gallery fundraising team is confident of nailing the required $16.25m before the June 2017 use-it or lose-it deadline.
What's more, spokesman Barry Trass said, with the kind of thumbs-up given by the $1.8m Foundation North (formerly ASB Community Trust) "Places Fund", other funders and donors will feel more confident and inspired to come to the party, too.
The opening later this month of the trial-run build and training pod called Te Kakano at the Town Basin is also likely to spark more donor and funder enthusiasm, Mr Trass said.
The grant announced over the weekend recognises the community aspect of the project, HAC fundraising team leader Helen Whittaker said.