HOW YOU CAN HELP
We need your financial help to continue this important work.  Continuity is the essence of a long-term research program.  As the federal support that has sustained the program comes to an end, we must rely increasingly on competitive grants and contributions from donors to keep our program operating.  Funding opportunities through competitive grant programs have declined in recent years, and competition for the few available grants is fierce.  Our projected program budget for 2008 is about $1 million, including support for staff and graduate students, facility and administrative costs, boat operations, health assessments, international training programs, dolphin rescues and follow-up monitoring, field research supplies, and travel to field sites and conferences.  In addition, we are seeking to establish an endowment of $2,000,000 to ensure the continuity of the most basic monitoring activities of the world’s longest-running dolphin research program. 

·     Annual support for field research expenses for one graduate student = $10,000
·     Support for franciscana dolphin research in Argentina = $10,000
·     Replacement 4-stroke outboard engine = $8,000
·     Support for intern from Argentina to come to Sarasota for training = $5,000
·     Satellite-linked tag and 6 months of satellite data processing for monitoring a rescued dolphin = $5,000

If you can help, contributions of funds should be directed to your choice of the
following:

“Chicago Zoological Society,” Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o Steve Birkhauser, Director of Major Gifts, Tel: (708) 688-8316, stbirkha@brookfieldzoo.org – please indicate “Dolphin Conservation Program” on the memo line.  In 2007, the number of supporters who made contributions to the Chicago Zoological Society’s Dolphin Conservation Program doubled.  Many were participants in our 2006-2007 Batchelor Challenge, an effort to match the generous funds awarded by the Batchelor Foundation.  In addition, donors and prospective donors attended the Third Annual Chicago Zoological Society Dolphin Conservation Program Dinner held at Brookfield Zoo on 8 November 2007.  The 60 guests received updates on the research done by the SDRP over the past year.  Similar events to highlight the program will be held on both Florida’s east and west coasts in early spring 2008. 

“Mote Marine Laboratory,” 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 c/o Randall Wells, Tel: (941) 388-2705, rwells@mote.org – please indicate “Sarasota Dolphin Research Program” on the memo line.

“Dolphin Biology Research Institute,” 708 Tropical Circle, Sarasota, FL 34242, randallswells@comcast.net.  DBRI can accept donations of funds, boats, vehicles, and other field equipment in good condition.  DBRI is a Sarasota-based 501{c}3 not-for-profit corporation (IRS-EI#59:2288387); thus donations of funds and/or equipment are tax-deductible (Florida State Solicitations Registration No. SC-01172).   Our current fleet of active research boats and trucks is composed largely of donated equipment.   Funds from sales of such donations go entirely to offset research and education program expenses.  During the most recent fiscal year, only 1% of funds received by DBRI were spent on fund-raising activities.  No salaries are paid by DBRI to any of its Officers or Directors. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

Special thanks to these contributors and funding organizations (12 December 2006 -  11 December 2007):
Edward McCormick Blair, Jr.
Rene Bryskov
Victor and Muff Calderon
Cannons Marina
Disney’s Animal Programs
Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund
Dolphin Quest
David E. Donovan
Earthwatch Institute
Ronnie and John Enander
Rhianon and Edward Gomez
Corwith Hamill
Don and Aleta Hamilton
Cyrus R. Heaton
Alyson Hellman
Kainz Family Foundation
Ruel F. Lehman
NOAA’s Fisheries Service
Ralph and Janet Piland
William and Sandra Scott
Stephanie A. Smith
Robert Steinhoff
Stuart and Melissa Strahl
Ethlyn D. Ware
John and Susan Watson
In memory of Frances S. Wells