Endowment Fund

What is an endowment fund?

An endowment fund is a receptacle for gifts given in perpetuity to a foundation.  The original value of the endowment donation remains untouched, and only the net income from the fund is used for BBO’s ongoing research and education programs.  In other words, it is a donation that continues to give back to the BBO through the income it generates each year.  To protect the value of the endowment, a portion of the income earned may also be reinvested into the fund to keep up with inflation.

As a not-for-profit organization, the BBO relies on grants, donations, and fundraising to support the work we do.  An endowment fund can provide ongoing, lifelong support and stability for our current and future activities.

Another aspect of an endowment fund is that the revenue that it generates is not tied to a specific project and can be directed towards the activities where BBO has the greatest need. The BBO works with the Edmonton Community Foundation to maintain our endowment funds.

Our main fund, Beaverhill Bird Observatory Endowment Fund, was established in May of 2019 with Edmonton Community Foundation.  We now have an additional four named endowment funds under this main umbrella:

Elson Olorenshaw Memorial Fund
Elson Olorenshaw was a dear friend and supporter of the BBO, who joined the executive in 1989. Elson’s tireless dedication to his role of secretary, and then treasurer, and his work to establish the ‘bluebird trail’ are only some of the many ways Elson contributed to the BBO. 

Mary Hughes Weir Memorial Fund
Mary Hughes Weir was a keen birdwatcher and nature lover who lived in Camrose.  The fund was established in loving memory of Mary by her family.

Young Ornithologists and Internship Fund
This fund was established to support two core BBO programs that provide learning opportunities and foster engagement in ornithology research for youth.

Geoffrey L. Holroyd Fund
This fund was generously donated by Dr. Geoff Holroyd. Geoff helped establish the Beaverhill Bird Observatory in 1984 and to this day remains enthusiastically dedicated to bird conservation and the work of the BBO, including continuing to act as our Chair.

Interested in supporting a BBO Endowment Fund?

You can provide a donation of any value that will go directly to a BBO endowment fund, right here on our website by clicking Donate and selecting our “Endowment Fundraiser”.  A tax receipt will be provided for any value over $20. . 

If you are interested in supporting our Young Ornithologists and Internship Fund, Elson Olorenshaw Memorial Fund, Mary Hughes Weir Memorial Fund, or Geoffrey L. Holroyd Fund managed by the Edmonton Community Foundation, visit the follwing webpage: https://www.ecfoundation.org/funds/beaverhill-bird-observatory-endowment-fund/

Want to discuss a larger donation, or leave a dedicated legacy endowment fund in memory of a loved one? Please reach out to our Chair to discuss– chair@beaverhillbirds.com.