By the deadline, the museum had managed to secure pledges of only $4.1 million from individuals, corporations and foundations.

Mr. Smith said the group began soliciting money less than a week ago and had already secured pledges for several million dollars from individuals and labor unions.

The Moran effort has already secured private pledges of $250,000.

He says he has secured pledges from the pharmaceutical industry to share their products and their scientific know-how should the nation need it.

So far, the commission has secured pledges of $4.1 million from individuals, corporations and foundations.

Before getting to Washington, Mr. Blair had done very well, securing pledges of large increases from European Union members.

Concerned about the threat of war, Hoffman set up a committee in 1915 designed to secure pledges from former soldiers whose skills could be used in times of need.

Trautmann and Thompson were able to secure pledges from several donors for $250,000 to move the project forward.

The Idaho Partners for Justice Project has already secured pledges of more than $35,000 from law firms, attorneys, corporations and individuals.

The situation was eventually resolved by securing additional pledges from the existing donors and by modifying the library design to reduce the construction cost.