Unless significant funding found, foundation will suspend operations effective March 2009
Alexandria, VA – November 21, 2008 – The Future Fisherman Foundation’s board of directors is currently seeking alternative funding and donations to avoid suspending foundation operations. The foundation’s board met on November 18 to discuss funding concerns after learning a grant which provides significant funding for the foundation was no longer available for the 2009 fiscal year. If substantive and sustaining funding sources for its programs cannot be found, the foundation board will be forced to suspend the foundations operations.
“The Future Fisherman Foundation’s board of directors and staff are committed to exploring all alternate funding options,” said foundation Executive Director Anne Danielski. “Over the next three months, we are aggressively seeking support from endemic and non endemic funding sources, grants, and partnerships with new organizations within our industry that share our mission to engage youth in outdoor and angling activities.”
In a separate action, during its October meeting the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) board of directors passed a motion to suspend its core support for the foundation effective March 31, 2009. In a joint message to ASA’s members, Jeff Pontius, ASA’s board of directors’ chairman, and Mike Nussman, ASA president and CEO, said, “With the loss of one of its two grant funding sources, it was clear that ASA’s core support of the foundation was not enough to sustain its operations. With the financial challenges facing our economy, the board determined that ASA could no longer continue its financial support for the foundation.”
For over 20 years, the foundation has worked nationwide to create nearly one million conservation minded anglers through creative programs and partnerships such as Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs, Physh Ed and after school programs with the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Danielski is asking supporters to, “Please help us sustain our programs so that the foundation can continue to play a pivotal role in facilitating opportunities for children, families and communities to experience the joys of fishing while fostering environmental stewardship.”
For more information on the foundation’s initiatives or to make a charitable donation to help ensure the future of fishing, visit the foundation’s Web site at www.futurefisherman.org.
Contact foundation Executive Director Anne Danielski or Manager of Education Teresa Rodriguez with questions or funding support options at 703-519-9691. Contact Gordon Robertson, ASA vice president, with questions regarding the American Sportfishing Association.
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The Future Fisherman Foundation is the angler recruitment and education arm of the American Sportfishing Association, the sportfishing industry’s trade association. The Future Fisherman Foundation unites the sportfishing industry with a nationwide network of state outdoor educators, national conservation groups and youth organizations, offering a variety of fishing and boating programs, equipment and services to community groups and schools across the country. These efforts help people of all ages have safe and enjoyable fishing experiences that foster life-long conservation ethics.
