On September 30, 2003, the Board of Directors and staff of Resources for the Future (RFF) celebrated the successful conclusion of RFF’s 50th anniversary campaign, which added $24.1 million to the institution’s coffers. RFF’s Board Chair Robert Grady said: “This is a terrific vote of confidence by all its supporters in RFF’s mission, past accomplishments, and promise for the future.
These funds form a secure foundation for another 50 years of groundbreaking research and positive impact on environmental policymaking in the United States and throughout the world.”
In addition to boosting RFF’s annual revenues by $8 million over the last four years, $16 million in cash and pledges was earmarked for the endowment, including four gifts of $2 million each to endow senior fellow positions. A fifth endowed chair in honor of the late RFF economist Allen Kneese is close to being funded, as well. “By establishing endowed chairs at RFF, we will be able to recruit top scholars and policy analysts to the staff as well as reward and support the work of high caliber researchers currently at RFF,” according to Paul Portney, RFF president. “We look forward to the day—in the not too distant future—that we announce the first appointments to these chairs. By recognizing and funding outstanding scholars whose work is influential in policy debates, we will continue to highlight the important role that independent, nonpartisan research can play in policymaking.”
RFF was also the recipient of a generous gift from W. Mitchell LaMotte of Winnetka, Illinois, to establish a President’s Discretionary Fund to help seed new research and communications activities—a fund that we hope will grow with the addition of new gifts in the future.
Lesli Creedon, RFF’s vice president for external affairs, added her appreciation: “The campaign could not have been the success that it was without the very generous contributions of more than 800 individuals, corporations, and foundations who value RFF’s unique contribution to policymaking. We are thrilled by the outpouring of support and affirmation of our mission that is represented by the gifts we received. We’re especially grateful for the efforts of Dod Fraser, our development committee chair; our board members; and other volunteers who helped make the campaign possible.” The campaign was launched in 1999 under the leadership of Darius Gaskins, then-Board chair, and Edward Strohbehn Jr., development committee chair.
While the campaign is officially over, the RFF Board of Directors and staff will continue their efforts to strengthen RFF’s financial position for the near and long term. Specific institutional goals include augmenting the President’s Discretionary Fund, establishing additional endowed chairs and fellowship programs, and increasing annual operating revenues.
At its October meeting, the RFF Board of Directors voted to change the institution’s policy regarding corporate gifts. Previously, RFF accepted only completely unrestricted gifts from corporations. Now, companies will be allowed to restrict their contributions somewhat—to broad programs of research that are currently being developed by RFF researchers. RFF’s ban on the acceptance of corporate contributions earmarked for specific projects remains in effect.
A version of this article appeared in print in the Fall/Winter 2004 issue of Resources magazine.
