RFF unveiled a special 50th anniversary funding campaign to kick-start its next 50 years of path-breaking research at a glittering black-tie gala dinner on October 15th, 2002 Announcing the effort to more than 800 creative minds and Washington powerbrokers gathered to celebrate RFF’s 50th at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC, RFF President Paul Portney said RFF planned to raise $30 million by September 30, 2003.
So far $20 million of cash and pledges have been committed to RFF, which celebrated its many research and policy achievements over the last 50 years with a daylong symposium and a gala dinner. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Todd Whitman gave the keynote speech at the gala.
Says Portney: “We are greatly encouraged that despite this tough economic climate we have been able to raise that initial $20 million so quickly. It is a testament to the quality, independence, and breadth of our research work that so many foundations, corporations, and individuals have chosen to so generously support RFF. Astute people realize that creative and cost-effective solutions to energy and environmental problems are especially important during difficult economic times. That’s our forte.”
Some 500 corporations, foundations, and individuals—all committed to improving environmental and natural resource policymaking worldwide— have contributed to the campaign so far.
Bringing anniversary congratulations from President Bush, Whitman told the gala dinner that RFF had “provided objective environmental analysis and thorough policy recommendations that have helped America confront some of its most difficult environmental challenges.” In particular, she praised RFF’s work on tradable permits, a component of the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments: “This strategy has achieved nearly 100% industry compliance, it has cost far less to implement than the traditional regulatory approaches, and it has reduced emissions in its early years far more than we thought possible. This is a true success story and it happened because of RFF’s efforts and thinking.”
Gala dinner invitees also watched a 14-minute video highlighting RFF’s objective and independent research, and its special contributions over the past 50 years. RFF scholars past and present were among those interviewed about RFF’s past and future work, along with leading executives, advocates, and policymakers. The production of the video was underwritten by the Dow Chemical Company and AT&T.
The RFF symposium and gala brought together hundreds of leaders from the policymaking, business, academic, environmental, and media communities to discuss key obstacles and opportunities the world faces in the next 50 years—the challenges in and relationships among economic development, environmental protection, technological advance, and global governance.
Of the $20 million committed, $8 million will be earmarked to establish RFF’s first four endowed chairs to fund the research of RFF Senior Fellows.
Robert E. Grady, managing director of The Carlyle Group and RFF Board chairman, said, “The four individuals who have made these generous gifts to endow chairs at RFF are providing us with the financial security to focus our research capacities where they are most needed. Building RFF's endowment will help to ensure a continued tradition of independence as we further expand and diversify our funding sources.”
Details on the chairs and the areas of research they will support will be publicly released as appointments are made.
Other funds from the 50th campaign will be used to expand existing research and communications activities and seed new areas of path-breaking research.
Dod Fraser, chair of RFF's development committee, urges all those from the business, philanthropic, and advocacy communities who are committed to informed policymaking to “step forward and show their support for RFF during the remaining months of the campaign. A gift to RFF is an investment in the future of our country's natural resources and environmental health.”
A version of this article appeared in print in the Fall 2002/Winter 2003 issue of Resources magazine.
