Not only did the concrete floors get poured this week, but the overall Future Leaders Campaign fundraising has gained new ground as well. Over roughly the past six weeks, the challenge grant offered by the Madison Community Foundation has motivated supporters to join the project to the tune of $150,000! We’re now officially half-way to meeting their challenge. Once the Aldo Leopold Foundation raises $300,000, the Madison Community Foundation will award an additional $100,000 for the program’s endowment.
Every gift counts, and there’s still time to give! The overall campaign has reached a total of $3.76 million raised with a little over $1 million to go. Each donation puts us closer to an expanded Future Leaders Program where fellows will be immersed in conservation practices in Leopold Country – something Estella Leopold, youngest daughter of Aldo, has often expressed is the best way to honor her father.
“I can’t think of a better way to honor and extend my father’s vision than to develop the next generation of leaders for land health and a land ethic.” –Estella Leopold
Estella has long been committed to the project through her roles on the Board of Directors and the Campaign Cabinet, but just recently she strengthened that commitment even more. Estella generously made a personal gift of $100,000 to the campaign to ensure the momentum continues.
“The wealth of support and generosity Estella has demonstrated over the years is immeasurable. This gift, while measured as a sum of dollars, is a sign of her undying commitment to her father’s legacy and ensuring a future generation of capable conservation leaders,” explained Buddy Huffaker. “Estella’s well-planned timing in making her gift is another shot of adrenaline that keeps this campaign energized and moving forward.”
As construction on the Future Leaders Center, the future home for our fellows, continues to progress and the reality of filling it with young, eager students becomes imminent, we hope you can help spread the excitement and potential of this project. Broad community engagement is the key to building our future conservation leaders and also to weaving a land ethic throughout society. Thank you for being a part of our amazing thinking community. Together much can be accomplished.
