Two local philanthropists have generated over $3 million for the Nature Conservancy of Canada over the years and are our Inspiring Albertans this week.
Ian and Judy Griffin are passionate about the outdoors and are strong supporters of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
A few years ago they established the Ian and Judy Griffin Challenge Fund to encourage others to commit to an annual donation of at least $1000.
“What we do is we match the first $1000 that people who plan to donate to the Leaders in Conservation, which is a program we have in nature conservancy, we match it,” said Ian.
Jenel Bode is the Nature Conservancy's Manager of Major Gifts and Donor Engagement and says the Griffin's challenge fund has given the organization greater financial stability.
“It encouraged other people, other individuals, to support conservation at the $1000 level on an annual basis, which really allows our organization, NCC, to be able to have the ability to plan into the future knowing that we have a consistent revenue stream coming in,” she said.
Ian says the Nature Conservancy really stood out when he and Judy were looking for a conservation organization to support,
“What makes it outstanding is superb management and a very high level of governance and that is so important for donors,” said Ian.
He says it gives him great pleasure to see what the conservancy has accomplished by protecting 30,000 acres of land in the southwest foothills along the Cowboy Trail.
“When you look at that wonderful landscape and know that it'll never be broken up or developed, that is something that's very special,” said Ian.
For their contributions to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ian and Judy Griffin are out Inspiring Albertans this week.
