press release (11.15.09): $100,000 matching donation challenge achieved
A phone call in the fall of 2007 spurred a flurry of excitement in the NRCC office. An anonymous donor had offered to match all donations to NRCC over the next year and a half, for a total of up to $100,000. This offer was unprecedented for the organization, especially as the funds were directed to be applied to expanding programs and core office capacity. Such unrestricted funding opportunities are rare in the non-profit world.
With both large and small donors stepping up to help us achieve our goal, we were able to complete this $100,000 matching grant by November of 2009.
The funds are helping to build NRCC in several ways. First, it has helped NRCC expand organizational strength. By having resources for our core operations into the future, we have been able to demonstrate that NRCC is here to stay. This has attracted affiliate projects to NRCC.
NRCC has also attracted expertise on a variety of fronts as our professional network continues to grow. We are in the process of approaching and adding new board members, research associates, and partnership projects, including amphibian monitoring in Yellowstone, new wolverine research in Wyoming, expansion of our human-bear conflict reduction work, and large-scale conservation publications.
For our programs, this funding has significantly supported our growing carnivore coexistence program. We held a three-day workshop with research associates and other professional colleagues in the spring of 2009 at the B Bar Ranch in Montana that has helped us define a newly invigorated program. We have been able to spend time with our partners and find new opportunities. Building on our long-term intership program, We were also able to host a strong undergraduate intern last summer, Mike Dellabuono. Having internship opportunities is one of NRCC’s key goals in helping to build capable natural resource professionals.
In our office, the matching grant enabled us to employ highly-skilled part- time help to write foundation grant proposals and perform enhanced core office functions. NRCC has also provided modest health savings accounts matches for our qualifying employees, since our organizational success rests on attracting and retaining qualified professionals. We have also spent more time building core organizational strength. Core support from this opportunity has enabled NRCC to focus on strategic planning, fundraising, and more streamlined accounting and asset management. Along these lines, NRCC hired a contract bookkeeper, which has freed up staff time to address other important tasks. NRCC has also invested in office hardware and software upgrades, including such items as donor management software to better organize our fundraising and constituency-building efforts.
Finally, NRCC moved our office to a new location in downtown Jackson after existing on the periphery of town for many years. In our new home we have a more welcoming and professional space to work and meet with colleagues and donors.
Jason Wilmot, NRCC’s executive director, emphasized that “this substantial opportunity was a clear vote of confidence in our organization and mission. This simple fact reinforced our energies and efforts, and by sharing with others that we had this opportunity, we have been able to garner more attention and resources.”
NRCC Board president Peyton Griffin states, "We are incredibly grateful to the original anonymous donor and the many other donors who have helped us raise $200,000 through a one-on-one match. Despite tough economic times, these donors have pledged their support for NRCC's efforts to achieve a more promising future for wildlife and people."
The Tides Foundation administered the grant. For more information on how to support NRCC’s growing programs, please contact us at 307-733-6856.
Images: Top - B Bar Ranch, NRCC's 3-day carnivore workshop. © Lydia Dixon. Bottom - 185 Center St., NRCC's new office in downtown Jackson, WY. © Rebecca Watters.