The Chewonki Foundation announced that after 18 months of fundraising effort and unparalleled participation from Chewonki participants, Chewonki has met the terms of The Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant and will realize that organization’s coveted award.

“Chewonki has been working tirelessly on this campaign, aimed primarily at increasing our endowment for scholarship, and we’ve spent the last 18 months squarely focused on meeting The Kresge Challenge,” said Chewonki President Don Hudson. “To be able to celebrate this accomplishment today in such an unpredictable economy, when families and individuals are already financially stretched, is a passionate testament to the importance our constituents place on environmental education. We are deeply grateful to all who participated.”

Chewonki’s efforts will result in an $850,000 award from Kresge. In a statement, Kresge President and CEO Rip Rapson said: “Our Trustees commend your commitment to ecological sustainability and believe your high impact educational activities are providing valuable information and experiences for all ages.”

The Kresge Foundation, established in 1924, is a $2.8 billion private foundation that supports communities in the United States and around the world by strengthening the nonprofit organizations that serve them. In 2008, the foundation awarded 342 grants totaling $181 million. In addition to their support of Chewonki, Kresge awarded grants to five other Maine organizations in 2007 and 2008, including Preble Street Resources, Maine Historical Society, Sisters of Charity Health System, and the North Haven Community School.

Among Kresge’s six fields of interest is their Environment Program, which works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment, accelerate the adoption of renewable energy technologies, and develop strategies for helping society adapt to the anticipated, negative impacts of climate change.

The Kresge funds awarded to Chewonki will be used to support the Sustainable Campus initiative of Chewonki’s campaign, which includes dining hall renovations, sustainable housing, and the implementation of campus renewable energy technologies, which include a hybrid solar system, a geothermal system, and a wind turbine.

Kresge awarded two smaller grants to Chewonki in 1985 and 1999.

“We are deeply grateful to the hundreds of supporters who have helped us secure the future of Chewonki through our campaign” said Director of Development Lucy Hull. Hull noted that the two most important goals of the Kresge challenge – the financial goal and the participation goal – had both been met. “This accomplishment is both an endorsement and a catalyst for Chewonki’s work. We can reach more underserved children with the funds raised and deliver the kind of sustainability education that is so critical today.”

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