The North Face Commits $750,000 to Complete the Conservation Alliance Legacy Fund Campaign

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(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) January 20, 2012 - The North Face today committed $750,000 over three years to The Conservation Alliance Legacy Fund. This gift brings the Legacy Fund Campaign to an end as The Conservation Alliance reaches its goal of building a $3.5-million endowment. Earnings from the Legacy Fund will cover operating expenses for the organization. 

The Conservation Alliance launched the Legacy Fund Campaign in January 2008, and secured $2.75 million in commitments before the recession hit later that year, forcing a hiatus in fundraising. The organization re-launched the campaign in August, announcing its goal to reach the $3.5-million mark by the end of 2012.  

The North Face has previously contributed $1 million to the fund, and the company’s new commitment completes the campaign.

“The North Face made the lead gift that started the Legacy Fund Campaign in 2008,” said John Sterling, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance. “With this contribution, The North Face brings our most ambitious fundraising effort to a close.”

The North Face co-founded The Conservation Alliance in 1989 along with Patagonia, REI, and Kelty. Since then, the organization has grown to include more than 180 member companies. In 2011, The Conservation Alliance contributed $1.05 million to conservation projects including efforts to: secure new wilderness designations in Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Idaho; acquire wildlands in Maine, California, and New Hampshire, and Oregon; protect wild rivers in Canada, Washington and California; and win strict regulations on snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park.

“We are proud to have helped start the Alliance 22 years ago, and we are honored to be in the position to close out the Legacy Fund Campaign,” said Todd Spaletto, President of The North Face. “Providing access to the outdoors is at the heart of our business. We believe in the virtuous cycle—the simple concept based on the idea that if you get people outdoors, they will love that experience. The more they come back, the more they grow to care about protecting our natural playgrounds and living healthy active lives. Protecting wild places is core to this mission, and The Conservation Alliance helps us reach our conservation goals.”

Because 100 percent of membership dues go into The Conservation Alliance’s grant fund, the organization must look elsewhere to cover operational expenses. These expenses are currently supported by additional contributions from member companies, foundation grants, and fundraising events. Once fully funded, the Legacy Fund will permanently cover nearly three-quarters of the current operating expenses for the Alliance.

“The Legacy Fund will ensure that The Conservation Alliance outlives us all,” said Sterling. As long as there is an outdoor industry, we will be here ensuring that the industry is active in the effort to protect wild places for their habitat and recreational values.”

The Conservation Alliance will continue to grow the Legacy Fund to ensure an increasing stream of operating income. Moving forward, the organization will encourage individuals to contribute to the endowment as a way to give something back to the wild places so important to the outdoor industry.

“The Legacy Fund will always be open to companies and individuals who want to make a meaningful contribution to the protection of North America’s wild places,” Sterling said. “There is always more conservation work to be done.”

On Friday, January 20th at 4 PM, The North Face and the Conservation Alliance are planning a gathering at The North Face booth during the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show in Salt Lake City to celebrate the completion of the Legacy Fund with all industry attendees.