HANNIBAL MO -- At least $15 million is being sought for capital campaigns in America's hometown.

Hannibal is currently seeking money to rehab the Mark Twain Home, the Nutrition Center, Moberly Area Community College, Hannibal LaGrange College, and to add a new cardiovascular center to its hospital.

Those campaigns don't include annual fund raising drives by groups like the Salvation Army and United Way.

When the Hannibal YMCA outgrew its space a couple of years ago, it asked the community for about $2 million to help it expand. The Y wanted to add more activity space for its growing youth membership. When they began their fund raiser, there were already other capital campaigns underway in Hannibal asking for more than $12 million.

When you think about a community of 20,000 like Hannibal, was the Y concerned about getting the money?

"It's always a concern," said Peter Friesen, executive director of the Hannibal YMCA. "I know there were several board members that had that concern too. Those companies and those people that have the ability to support those things have to believe in the project. If the project is sound and needed in the community, then the support will be there."

Friesen also says that Hannibal is one of the most philanthropic communities he's ever seen. Organizations needing to raise money can often draw from other cities in the Tri-States. Also keep in mind, some of the money comes through grants. In fact, the Y received more than $500,000  from national groups like the Mabee and Kemper foundations to buy its fitness equipment.

Friesen says the bottom line is that all of Hannibal's capital campaigns only help to showcase the community and make it a better place for residents and visitors.

Donors can give their money a little bit at time so that they can also give to other campaigns.  And donations can even be given in the form of land, property, titles, stocks, bonds, and more.