The Foss Waterway Seaport has received a $50,000 grant from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Foundation and $25,000 from KeyBank in support of the Seaport’s waterfront education, cultural and activity center.

These grants kick off the second phase of the Seaport’s capital campaign that has a goal of raising $5 million in cash and pledges by the end of 2008. This follows a first phase effort that raised $3.7 million.

KeyBank’s contribution is the first major support for the Seaport from a major financial institution. The bank’s gift will be used to support the Seaport’s Balfour Boatworks, a boatbuilding shop that will feature a workforce development program.

The contribution from BNSF is especially notable given that the centerpiece of the Seaport project is the Balfour Dock Building constructed nearly a century ago by the Northern Pacific Railroad, a predecessor to the BNSF.