A Note from our Board President: Help Us Grow Our Endowment
Dear Friends of The Merwin Conservancy,
I’m writing today about The Merwin Conservancy’s endowment, and appealing to you to consider a gift to help us reach our goal of $2 million. The Merwin Conservancy’s endowment was established a decade ago as part of the founding of the organization; William and Paula Merwin had the foresight to realize an endowment would ensure the long-term survival of a project dedicated to conserving their irreplaceable palm garden and house—with all the literal and symbolic value of the place—in a part of the country very much at risk to the vicissitudes of property development.
The initial goal set by the Merwins was $1 million to be raised within a year following William’s death; the board met that goal while both William and Paula were still alive. A new goal of $2 million was created with the caveat that no draw would be taken until that goal is reached. I’m asking for your help to meet that goal and to unlock the funding that endowment interest can provide the organization—specifically for vital maintenance of the garden, the house, and other structures on the property.
To date, the entire annual budget of The Merwin Conservancy—our public programming including the Green Room and garden tours, the residencies for poets and artists, the maintenance of the palm garden, the upkeep of the house and other structures like the dojo, as well as the salaries for our small but mighty staff—has all been raised year to year through the tireless work of the staff and board, and through the generous donations of The Conservancy’s friends and foundations.
In addition to those costs, we’re also at a moment in time when we are facing the unpredictable expenses all owners of older houses encounter: leaking roofs, expiring water heaters, out-of-date solar panels, and, in a condition somewhat unique to Maui—damage by feral pigs! As The Merwin Conservancy evolves, and the financial needs of our undertaking become clearer, we see the endowment as a very important piece of our funding strategy.
Our current goal is just a stone’s throw away. At this writing, its value is around $1.7 million. Late last year I gave $100,000 specifically to the endowment, seeing this as an investment in the long-term financial health of The Merwin Conservancy as well as an expression of my profound faith in the future of an organization whose message is invaluable to the world. Your contribution, whatever its size, can help The Merwin Conservancy receive around $80,000 per year (4%).
Would you please join me in supporting the long-term health of William and Paula’s vision with a gift to The Merwin Conservancy’s endowment?
Yours gratefully,
Robert Becker
President, The Merwin Conservancy Board of Directors
