Interpretive Center Fundraising

Interpretive Center
	Overview
	Exhibit and Displays
	The Building
	Butterfly Garden
	Exciting Makeover
	Donor Opportunities

This showcase facility was turned from a dream into a reality by a very generous Million Dollar donation by Peter and Mary Muth. Public funds including state grants, local taxes and redevelopment moneys were added to this seed money to allow the Interpretive Center to be built. But community support continues to be needed to allow the Interpretive Center to achieve its full potential, and to ensure that exhibits remain vibrant and appealing.

Since the opening of the facility in 2000 we, the Naturalists & Friends, have raised over $250,000 to expand and enhance the education facilities at the Interpretive Center. Funding partners include:

	Amount	Contributor(s)
	$100,000	Ray and Elsa Watson
	$50,000	Irvine Ranch Water District
	$45,000	Boand Family Foundation
	$25,000	Alice Culver
	$20,000	Fletcher Jones Motor Cars
	$9,000	Sea and Sage Audubon
	$5,000	LSA Associates
	$5,000	Kling Family Foundation
	$5,000	Friends of Newport Bay
	$2,500	Deutsche Bank

Each is permanently recognized with bronze lettering on the Donor Wall.

Donations to the Interpretive Center can be made in a variety of ways. Gifts to an endowment offer an excellent opportunity to establish a named fund and insure that it provides ongoing benefits and support. Endowments will be established so that only the annual net investment income (or portion thereof) will be spent in accordance with the direction of the benefactor. Named funds can be used to support a specific program or project that is dear to the donor. Donations may also be made in memory of a special person in the benefactor's heart.

While no donation is too small, we offer special recognition opportunities for individuals, organizations and corporations that play a significant role in sponsoring the development and enhancement of the Interpretive Center. The following specific naming opportunities currently exist:

Entryway "What is an Estuary" Exhibit - $100,000 for permanent naming rights
Van Sant Donor Wall Sculpture - $50,000 for permanent naming rights

For information on these and other opportunities, please call Jack Keating at (949) 720-9433.

The Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends is a section 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to preserving and educating the public about Upper Newport Bay. Contributions are tax-deductible as specified in the Internal Revenue Code.