Help Us Make a Difference in 2020
In a few days, the world says goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020. The start of a new year symbolizes a new beginning and an opportunity for improvement. It’s a time of reflection on the past and a chance to progress towards a better future.
We celebrate our 30th anniversary in 2020. Since the General Assembly created the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation in 1990, we have worked to promote conservation and make more outdoor opportunities available in support of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). For 30 years, the foundation has supported more than $10 million in conservation efforts, helped acquire more than 10,000 acres of public lands, provided outdoor education opportunities to more than 300,000 Hoosiers, and introduced more than 100,000 Hoosiers to new outdoor recreation opportunities.
The foundation supports projects such as the Indiana Tree Project, the Discover the Outdoors field trip grant, the Give Adventure grant, the Northeast Indiana Conservation Partnership & Preservation and the C-52 Patoka Lake Raptors. These projects are possible because of the generosity of individual donors and corporate sponsors. Donors might find it reassuring to know that when they give to the INRF, more than 90% of every dollar goes directly to vital projects.
You may be familiar with some of the recent partnerships with corporate sponsors like Clif Bar, REI, the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, and Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. “REI has partnered with the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation for the last two years, supporting efforts to increase trail accessibility and preservation in both Turkey Run State Park and Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park,” said Michelle Walters, general manager at REI. These corporate partnerships, along with charitable contributions from individual donors, helped plant more than 50,000 trees in Indiana state forests, revamp beloved state park trails, send classrooms on outdoor field trips, and more.
Whether a donor gives $1 for a bottle of water at our state fair tent or makes a donation for $1,000 during the year-end appeal – every gift makes a difference. We recently revamped donor club levels in an effort to better recognize generous donors.
$100 – Partner Club
Donors at this level receive a foundation lapel pin.
$250 – Explorer Club
Donors at this level receive a lapel pin, a subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine and two trees planted in an Indiana state forest.
$500 – Voyager Club
Donors at this level receive a lapel pin, subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine, a state park annual pass, five trees planted in an Indiana state forest and recognition on the INRF website.
$1,000 – Adventure Club
Donors at this level receive a lapel pin, a subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine, a state park annual pass, recognition on the INRF website and its newsletter, and invitations to special events. $100 of the contribution will be dedicated toward the Discover the Outdoors field trip grant program.
$5,000 or more – Legacy Club
Donors at this level receive a lapel pin, a subscription to Outdoor Indiana magazine, a state park annual pass, an INRF polo shirt and invitations to special events. Legacy donors will also receive recognition on the INRF website, in the newsletter, and in an issue of Outdoor Indiana magazine. A contribution at this level will send an entire Hoosier classroom on a field trip through the Discover the Outdoors field trip grant program.
Looking toward the next 30 years, we hope to expand its impact on Indiana residents, public lands and wildlife. The goal is to grow in the coming years by reaching a wider audience, attracting more corporate sponsors and individual donors. In the last few months, we have shared several impact stories about projects it supports. We encourage you to share these impact stories on social media. Doing so helps us grow our audience and spread awareness about the conservation needs in Indiana.
If you have a resolution to make a difference in conservation and the promotion of the great outdoors in 2020, please also consider taking this opportunity to make a donation today. Your gift makes a difference.