Clients in the News: Ocean Discovery Institute
Ocean Discovery Institute Exceeds "Fund of Five" Fundraising Goal
San Diego-based urban youth assistance organization receives $500,000 through New Frontiers Fund of Five initiative
SAN DIEGO, Calif.— Ocean Discovery Institute, formerly Aquatic Adventures, met their fund-raising goal of $500,000 raised through its New Frontiers Fund of Five challenge. Together, several visionary community leaders generously committed the funds necessary for the institute to positively impact San Diego urban youth today and in the future.
“These contributions will open doors for thousands of youth to gain an understanding of the sciences and nature, and prepare these outstanding young people to become tomorrow’s scientific and environmental leaders,” explained founder and executive director, Shara Fisler. “We are grateful to have such visionary leadership in the community.”
At the Ocean Discovery Institute’s 10th anniversary gala, held October 4, a philanthropic leader in the biotech industry, kicked off the New Frontiers Fund of Five by committing $100,000 on the condition that an additional four supporters meet the challenge at the same visionary level by the end of 2009. The fifth and final donation came just days before the New Year, with donations reaching an impressive $500,000 from a total of 6 donors.
The creator of the New Frontiers Fund of Five hopes that it will “ignite support for Ocean Discovery Institute by challenging leaders from all walks of our community to make our initial funding goal a reality.” Though the three initial donors requested anonymity, other donors include Linda and Joel Fisler, the Leichtag Family Foundation, and the Hervey Family Fund at the San Diego Foundation.
Matthew Hervey of the Hervey Family Fund, who contributed $50,000 toward the initiative, said, “The Hervey Family Fund at the San Diego Foundation decided to make a large grant to the Ocean Discovery Institute because of the highly professional approach with which they deliver practical science lessons to the inner city youth living in the community of City Heights. Successful programs are easy to support, and we are proud to be funding partners.”
The Leichtag Family Foundation stepped up to offer the institute the final $50,000 to the effort. “We’ve followed the institute’s strategic efforts over the years, and have been impressed with the organization’s leadership, which is well known and recognized in the philanthropic community,” said James S. Farley, President and CEO of the Leichtag Family Foundation. “We’re delighted to be part of this groundbreaking milestone for Ocean Discovery Institute.”
“In a competitive global economy that is increasingly science-based, we need innovative augmentation of the struggling California public school systems in science. We believe our ‘engage, educate and inspire’ mantra, coupled with our programs that range from grade school standards-based education through two month field research projects in Baja California, Mexico, opens new frontiers for our students and the larger community we serve in California - from green initiatives in business - to biotech - to classic fisheries science,” said Kurt Gering, Ocean Discovery Institute’s chair of the board of directors.
The Ocean Discovery Institute would like to offer a special thanks to all of those who helped the New Frontiers Fund of Five initiative attain its goals.
About Ocean Discovery Institute
Founded in 1999, Ocean Discovery Institute’s vision is to empower urban and diverse youth to protect our ocean and natural environment, improve the health of our communities, and strengthen the quality of life in our world.
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