Giving Compass' Take:

• Philanthropist and Board Chair, Maggie Walker, made a large donation to the National Audubon Society to invest in expanding the organization's community centers throughout the nation. 

• This gift will help the centers focus on areas like conservation, youth leadership development, and community engagement. Why is most of the donation going toward strengthening community-based initiatives for the Audubon?

• Read about why looking after the environment is a collective responsibility. 

“Growing the next generation of leaders and reimagining what’s possible in communities are the two big ideas at the heart of Maggie Walker’s investment in Audubon’s network.

And everyone who’s worked with her knows that when Maggie Walker decides to invest in your work, what you get is expansive vision and transformational change,” said David Yarnold Audubon’s president and CEO, announcing news that Seattle-based philanthropist and National Audubon Society Board Chair Maggie Walker has made a $5 million gift to support the organization’s revitalized vision for its network of community-based centers nationwide.

National Audubon Society’s 41 centers welcome one million people each year. “Audubon centers have enormous potential to create opportunity for young people and develop a new, diverse generation of conservation leaders,” said Walker. “We want to solve real environmental and social problems in communities and connect people to the joy that birds and nature bring.

Walker’s investment will enable Audubon to develop new programs, approaches, and activities across its network of centers focused in three areas:

  • Conservation
  • Youth leadership development
  • Community engagement

Read the full article about investment in Audubon centers at National Audubon Society