HOW Coalition Receives $2.5 Million Continuation Grant

Nov 29: Grand Rapids philanthropist Peter Wege and The Wege Foundation announced that they will continue to support the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes (HOW) Coalition for five more years through a $2.5 million grant. Lynn McClure, Midwest director for the National Parks Conservation Association, and a co-chair of the Coalition said, "We are extremely grateful for the generous support from Mr. Wege and The Wege Foundation. Their leadership has been instrumental in elevating the profile of the Great Lakes nationally, which has led to a federal commitment to improve the health of the lakes for the millions of people who live along the shores and visit each year."

    Former Steelcase CEO Peter Wege and his namesake foundation launched the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition in 2004 with a 5-year, $5 million grant. They have continued to be core supporters of the Coalition, which also receives funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, Great Lakes Fishery Trust, The Joyce Foundation and The Kresge Foundation. Ellen Satterlee, CEO of The Wege Foundation said, "Trustees are impressed by the collaborative support of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition and related Great Lakes work from so many other foundations in the region. Together, we're making a real difference for our Great Lakes and we at The Wege Foundation are proud and honored to work with the Coalition on this important cause."

    According to a release from HOW, the Coalition and its 120 member organizations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin have been leaders in securing a robust Great Lakes restoration plan and accompanying federal funding. Over the past three years, President Obama and the U.S. Congress have infused more than $1 billion into restoration programs through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to clean up toxic pollution, reduce runoff from cities and farms, restore habitat and wetlands and fight invasive species like the Asian carp.

    Access a release from HOW (click here). Access the HOW coalition website for more information (click here).

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