YELLOWKNIFE - With the 2008 Arctic Winter Games (AWG) now only 360 days away, the final push for fundraising is on.

The AWG committee has raised just more than $2 million in cash and in-kind donations from corporate sponsors.

Dave Hurley, general manager of Yellowknife's 2008 Arctic Winter Games, hopes to meet the $3.6 million fundraising target by this June. - Stephanie McDonald/NNSL photo

This represents approximately 60 per cent of the $3.6 million target.

"We're quite comfortable with where we are at," said Dave Hurley, general manager of the Games.

"Every company has come forward... because they believe in the value of the Games to the community," he said. "We can't do the Games without them."

Nunasi Corporation and NorthwesTel have both donated $200,000-plus.

Nunasi has provided office space for the committee, while NorthwesTel has provided infrastructure for the event and the support of its staff.

Canadian North, First Air, and Diavik have each donated between $150,000 and $199,999.

Other major donors include the RCMP, Tli Cho Landtran, Yellowknife Catholic schools, Yk1 and Kimik.

A Mining Contractor Challenge has been initiated in conjunction with the three major mines in the North.

"The mines have contacted their sub-contractors to come on board," said Hurley.

"It is a unique and different way to get more involvement from the corporate field."

One of the first to join this challenge, Tli Cho Landtran came in with a donation of $100,000.

"Tli Cho Landtran is pleased to support the Arctic Winter Games and the local Northern community, which is so important to the identity of our company and our employees," said Shawn Talbot, regional manager of the company.

In June there will be a re-evaluation of the total fundraising budget, but it's hoped the goal of $3.6 million will be reached by then.

"When two-thirds of your budget is depending on fundraising, you have to be very conscious of what you're doing in terms of your operations," Hurley said.

Many Northern businesses have been focused on supporting the Canada Winter Games, which ended last week in Whitehorse. Hurley said some businesses will now turn their attention to the Arctic Winter Games.

"As the switch starts, businesses will become more focused on the Games, more aware of the Games, and want to be part of the Games," he said.