September 2015
The Campaign for the ELI Fund has topped the half-way mark in its first eight months according to Campaign Chair, Bill Rawson. The Campaign recently reached $1.1 million in donor gifts and pledges working toward its three-year goal of $2.1 million. “There has never been a greater need for a non-partisan environmental think-tank and solutions center like ELI,” said incoming President Scott Fulton, “and the Campaign’s success is a real shot in the arm for us.”
The Campaign’s goal is to double annual support for ELI. The Fund is establishing a firm foundation of committed supporters to advance ELI’s fundamental goals of developing effective approaches to our greatest environmental challenges and making law work for people, places, and the planet.
Donations to the campaign will help ELI educate the world’s judiciary, enable environmental governance, and build peace by addressing natural resource conflicts in war-torn societies. “In addition,” said Fulton, “the Campaign will help promote practical climate/energy solutions and community resilience and support ELI’s work to protect valuable ocean resources.”
In January, four six-figure donors kicked in to get the campaign off to a strong start. ELI Director Stan Legro, who made a gift of $100,000, said that his gift stemmed from his profound respect and appreciation for the work performed by ELI staff. “I first became aware of ELI during my tenure as Assistant Administrator for the U.S. EPA,” stated Legro, “and have always been impressed by the work of its staff.”
Rawson heads a 16-member Campaign Leadership Committee, which is reaching out to friends and supporter across the country. “We want to hear their ideas about ways we can increase their engagement in the mission of ELI,” he said.