The Mule Deer Foundation Endowment Fund, “Leaving A Lasting Legacy”

By Stan Lueck & Miles Moretti

March/April 2008

The Mule Deer Foundation announced the creation of the Mule Deer Foundation Endowment Fund at its Eighth Annual Convention in association with the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo (WHCE) in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 7, 2008. The Endowment Fund was created so individuals, as well as corporations, could make a contribution to the conservation of mule deer and black-tailed deer that will exist into perpetuity.

The first pledge to the Endowment Fund was auctioned off at the Thursday night MDF Banquet Dinner. Excitement was in the air, but when the dust settled, Pamela and Stan Atwood became the very first Charter Members when they generously purchased the prestigious pledge for $34,000! Our hats are off to the Atwoods for their life-long passion toward mule deer and black-tailed deer.

The Endowment Fund is structured such that even if MDF should cease to exist in the future the fund would remain and could not be invaded (raided for the principle). Contributions to the Endowment Fund will remain as the principal portion of the Fund with interest and investment income used to fund projects and initiatives that support the mission of the Mule Deer Foundation. The Endowment Fund is a way for donors to create a lasting legacy to be enjoyed by future generations. Pledges may be designated to a specific state such that interest earned on those funds will be used to fund projects in that state.

When you donate to the Endowment Fund you must make a commitment (pledge) to contribute a minimum of $10,000 to become a member of the Mule Deer Foundation Endowment Conservation Council. Pledges can be paid over a three-year period with the initial payment of at least $2,500 due upon signing. Donations to the fund can be made by charge card, automatic withdrawal from a checking account, cash or cash equivalents, stocks or bonds readily convertible to cash or other acceptable assets with a cash value in excess of the amount pledged. Payments toward a pledge will be recognized only for the amount realized from the disposal of assets used to pay pledges in lieu of cash.

Anyone who becomes an Endowment Fund Conservation Council Member during the first two years will be designated as a “charter member” and will be included on the Charter Member Plaque at National Headquarters. Each member of the Mule Deer Foundation Endowment Fund Conservation Council will receive an individual plaque for display. Members and contributors will also be recognized in the Mule Deer Foundation Annual Report.

The Mule Deer Foundation Endowment Fund Board of Trustees will oversee the administration and disbursement of funds from the Endowment Fund. The Board of Trustees will be formed by four members from The Mule Deer Foundation Board of Directors. Three members of the Board of Trustees will be elected by the MDF Endowment Fund Conservation Council. The MDF Board of Directors shall appoint one trustee who is not a member of the MDF board nor of the Conservation Council. One Trustee shall be appointed jointly by the MDF Board of Directors and the Endowment Fund Conservation Council.

No funds will be disbursed from the Endowment Fund until the principle amount reaches $2 million. The interest earned from the Endowment Fund can only be disbursed using the following criteria:

a. At least 80% of the funds disbursed must go toward meeting the MDF mission (i.e., habitat improvement projects, conservation easements, purchase of properties to be transferred to the control of public agencies for public use.)

b. Up to 10% may go toward education/research.

c. No more than 10% may be used for discretionary purposes that do not include purchases of equipment, buildings or real estate not intended for transfer to a public agency for public use.

The creation of the Mule Deer Foundation Endowment Fund is another step in our journey to conserve and ensure mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitats. Contribute today to start your dollars working today, tomorrow and into the future.

• Download this form to make a contribution to the MDF Endowment Fund which is less than $10,000
  (minimum of $100 required).
• Download the MDF Endowment Conservation Council form for contributions of $10,000 or more.

For more information contact MDF National Headquarters. We would be happy to talk to you and/or send more information about getting involved and “Leaving A Lasting Legacy.”