Sources of Support

The annual operating budget of The Ecosystems Center for 2011 was $10,570,000. Approximately 80% of the income of the center came from grants for basic research from government agencies, including the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The other 20% comes from gifts and grants from private foundations, including support for the Semester in Environmental Science, as well as from institutional support for administration and income from the center's reserve and endowment funds.

These non-governmental funds provide flexibility for the development of new research projects, public policy activities and educational programs. The combined market value of the center's research and education endowments at the end of 2011 was $8,012,000. Income from these funds helps defray the costs of operations, writing proposals, consulting for government agencies and the center's educational programs.

2011 Supporters of the Ecosystems Center

Gifts from individuals and Foundations

$100,000-$249,999

Davis Educational Foundation*
Harken Foundation*
The David and Lucille Packard Foundation
Patricia and Charles Robertson

$10,000-$99,999

Anonymous (2)
Margaret C. and Francis P. Bowles*
The Clowes Fund, Inc.

$5,000-$9,999

Beech Tree Trust
Linda A. Deegan and Christopher Neill

$1,000-$4,999

Neil G. Bluhm*
Stephen and Lois Eisen*
Peter and Ginny Foreman*
Bruce and Mary Goodman*
Peter Gottlieb*
Jerry and Lalise Melillo
Mills Family Charitable Foundation*
Edward Rastetter and Karen Hendrickson*

Up to $999

Bryan and Donna Arling*
Frank C. and Sheila G. Carotenuto
John and Gwen Daniels*
William C. Daniels*
Ellen Hertzmark*
Max and Gabby Holmes
Kenneth Jackson*
Mid-American Water of Wauconda, Inc.
James Morrell*
Stephanie Oleksyk
Nick Peng*
Gordon and Claire Prussian*
Michael G. Ryan and Linda A. Joyce
Alexandra E. Shea*
Greg and Kay Tuber*
Edward and Dia Weil*
John and Patty Wineman*

*Donations to Semester in Environmental Science