Eastern Sierra Land Trust is thrilled to announcethat wehave recently received the largest gift in ourorganization’s history one that will have a major effect on ourcapacity, and as a result, the future of protected lands in the Eastern Sierra.
The Tambour Foundation, a small, private charitable foundation focused on educational, environmental and other advancement opportunities around the world, has granted Eastern Sierra Land Trust $1 million to seed a new Endowment Fund. By bolstering ESLT’s long-term financial security, this new Tambour Endowment will have a transformative effect by ensuring that ESLTcan continue ourwork protecting the Eastern Sierra’s wildlife, habitats, landscapes, and rural heritage forever.
The gift was motivated by longtime ESLT members and advisors Roger and Ruth MacFarlane, who have been ardent supporters of ESLT’s conservation efforts for many years. The MacFarlanes approached the Tambour Foundation on ESLT’s behalf. “ESLT has done extraordinary work in protecting and preserving treasured agricultural land in the Eastern Sierra,” Ruth MacFarlane shared. “We are delighted to help ensure their long-term growth and stability, and we wish them continuing success.”
The voluntary legal agreements that ESLTdesignswith landownersare binding in perpetuity. Of course, planning for perpetuity poses significant challenges particularly for small, grassroots non-profits such asoursthatoperate on a tight budget. The Tambour Endowment Fund helps ensure that ESLT will always be around to maintain the critical resources of the working and wild lands we’vehelped to protect.
ESLT’s Executive Director, Kay Ogden, calls the gift, “a sea change.” From her perspective, “the Tambour Endowment will have a massive, long-term impact on our organization and this entire region by allowing us to plan for the challenges and opportunities that the future will hold.”
As the new destination for bequests and long-term gifts made by supporters, our organizationplans to grow this endowment fund over time, utilizing the annual interest stream to support operational needs. This will permit ESLT to introduce cutting-edge program enhancements, purchase specialized equipment, and upgrade technology to help better engage Eastern Sierra residents and visitors in ourmission.
Eastern Sierra Land Trust will always rely heavily on the support of the community to continue the work webegan 15 years ago. “Without our members, past successes would never have come to fruition and future successes will never be possible,” explains Kay. Member donations continue to be ourlifeblood, enabling usto pursue new land conservation opportunities, continue restoration and stewardship projects, and advance ourwork to educate local schoolchildren about birds, bees, and the natural world. Members help make it possible to provide everyone with the opportunity to connect with our magical Eastern Sierra lands, and experience the joy of protecting them forever.
“I cannot express enough how incredibly grateful we are for the support provided by the Tambour Foundation and Ruth and Roger MacFarlane,” Kaycontinued. “We’re celebrating our 15thanniversary this year and now, thanks to their generosity, we can plan on many more such celebrations. We are excited to take on new challenges, and can’t wait to see what the future will bring.”
The Tambour Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, and applications are permitted by invitation only.
This is the very best financial miracle to happen to a fantastic group of people, land, flora and fauna. I was one of the nine main artists that created the Sierra Ceramic Tile Mural. How wonderful is this! I love and miss those of you I know. I appreciate and thank you too if you’re a new friend. YAY!!
Thank you, Carol! This truly is groundbreaking news for the entire Eastern Sierra. We hope you’ll stop by our office in Bishop next time you’re on the Eastside!