NOLS completed an $8 million endowment campaign in December 2000. "Our message and our mission are timeless," says executive director John Gans. "Completion of the NOLS endowment campaign is a crucial step in ensuring that we'll be here long-term to continue that work. Thanks to the support of the entire NOLS community, the school now has this strong financial foundation upon which to base our future growth."

What is the endowment?
The endowment is a carefully managed reserve of restricted and unrestricted funds, which are permanently invested. Each year, NOLS spends a portion of the return to support our mission "to be the leading source and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership that serve people and the environment." At least half of the spendable income is used to support NOLS scholarships; it also supports other ongoing programs at the school, such as Leave No Trace, wilderness research, and curriculum development.

Any additional return is reinvested, enabling more money to be released in subsequent years. In fact, the purchasing power of the income stream generated by the endowment should keep pace with inflation, perpetuating its impact.

For more information, contact Pip Coe, director of alumni and development (800-332-4280 or development@nols.edu).