Living Desert announces Valley’s largest endowment
The Living Desert announced the largest endowment campaign in the Coachella Valley’s history Wednesday. With a goal of $20 million well within reach, adminstrators say the zoo is poised for growth and sustainability with this news.
“The challenges of the market are very real for any nonprofit organization,” said President and CEO Allen Monroe, “but it’s especially true for our zoo and gardens that must operate fully every day of the year, without fail. The visionary leadership of our Board of Trustees has us looking to the future with nothing but enthusiasm.”
The Living Legacy Campaign was the brainchild of Board of Trustees member and long-time supporter of The Living Desert, BJ Skilling. “What I saw at The Living Desert was a great need and push to raise funds year after year, and I believed there was a better way,” she said, just after announcing that the private phase of the campaign has already raised $18,825,000 of the $20 million goal.
The public can now donate to the campaign and be considered a founding donor. Funds raised in the Living Legacy Campaign will be reserved in an endowment fund, and only the interest earned annually will be used to support the organization’s operations. The Living Desert is a $7.5 million annual operation, and has an economic impact on the region of more than $56 million annually, according to TLD administrators.
For more information about The Living Legacy Campaign, please contact the Development Department of The Living Desert at 760-346-5694, ext. 2166 or visit www.LivingDesert.org.
