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Capital Campaign

In late July the Anglers launched the Au Sable Capital Campaign. Our goal is to create a multi-million dollar endowment, the income from which will be used to fund stream improvements, scientific research, educational programs, litigation if necessary, and other projects beneficial to the watershed.

The efforts of the Anglers, in conjunction with the Huron Pines Conservation District and allied groups, have raised around $700, 000 for stream improvements alone. Recent stream studies indicate that the effort is paying off, with many stretches having a remarkable increase in larger trout.

Your board members try to spend the Anglers’ budget as wisely as possible, targeting projects that will have the most positive impact. But we have to reject requests that we’d love to see succeed, and some projects, such as sand removal, are well beyond our means.

With a successful Capital Campaign, we will have built a permanent endowment to pay for new programs and on-going stream improvements for the Au Sable.

We have outlined a committee structure that will help us accomplish our goal. We are now identifying those members who believe they can help by volunteering to join one of these committees:

Steering - Campaign oversight and direction
Publications - Development of campaign materials
Events - Plan, organize, and staff campaign functions
Stewardship - Provide a systematic way for all donors to be appropriately thanked
Gift Administration - Process and manage gifts and provide accurate accounting
Major Prospect Identification - Identify and cultivate major prospects

Several members have confidentially expressed a desire to make a major gift to the campaign. Some members have already made a contribution, and many committee volunteers have already come forward.

Four members of your board are meeting soon to review the responses to date. We have already responded to those of you who have asked to be contacted confidentially. Volunteers, contributors, and those who had questions and comments will be contacted as soon as we can. If you have not responded, please re-read the material you’ve received, and decide how you can help.

To reach our goal we want everyone to seriously consider making a campaign gift. We recognize that all of us have different amounts of financial resources and that we all have different personal needs. Please be aware that an outright gift will have the greatest immediate impact on improving our beloved Au Sable, but you can also make a meaningful contribution through a planned gift. These gifts can take the form of a simple bequest, or they can involve things like life income agreements where you continue to receive an income stream for the rest of your life from your gift. We hope that everyone has an interest in exploring how to participate in this endowment fundraising effort. We can provide you and your professional advisors with information that will help you determine the best way to make a gift given your unique financial and estate plans. Please let us know what information you need, or if you would like to confidentially discuss your gift options. RWOL

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