2001 DIRECTOR'S REPORT

The end of December 2001 represented the completion of seventeen years of grant making for the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation. As the reader will see, grants were made to a variety of non-profit entities serving Floridas animal and human populations in a number of interesting ways. Readers of prior letters will recall the Directors interest in the issue of water quality. Several grants this past year reflect this interest including: Active Citizens Together Improving Our Neighborhoods, Florida State University, Natural Resources Defense Council d/b/a Clean Water Network, and The Ocean Conservancy.

One local organization, Apalachicola Bay and Riverkeeper, was initially a small group of citizens concerned over growing degradation of the Apalachicola River and its basin. Supported by Dunn Foundation funding, a Riverkeeper now patrols, meets with businesses in the area, and works with likeminded organizations to maintain the delicate water flow necessary to sustain the ecology of the Bay. Further, the Directors have continued to try to fund projects throughout the State, from Key West to Jacksonville, and Naples to Pensacola, recognizing different issues confront Floridas residents.

Any first time reader should also obtain and review the newly published Foundation guidelines (dated December, 2001) to ensure a complete understanding of the Foundations process and preferences. Should you need a copy, please contact the Foundations Miami office. Copies may be obtained electronically, by fax, or by regular mail. The grants that follow reveal numerous exciting, innovative programs with significant benefits to Floridas fragile environment. We thank all of our grant seekers for their efforts on behalf of our unique ecosystem. We look forward to continuing the relationships developed with many of you, and anticipate new and exciting programs developed by new friends.