DISL Foundation Meets the Kresge Challenge

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab Foundation (DISLF) succeeded in raising $125,000 to meet a Kresge Foundation Challenge that netted the organization an additional $42,000.  The Sea Lab Foundation, one of twenty organizations participating in the program through the Community Foundation of South Alabama, was the only group that was actually established in response to this challenge, making it a true success in creating community capital - the goal of the Kresge dollars.

Tom Davis, Executive Director of the Community Foundation, applauded the Foundation's efforts.  "To start from zero and finish as one of the first speaks to the strength and quality of the Sea Lab Foundation's leadership," he stated.

Freda Roberts, chair of the DISLF since it was established two years ago, never had any doubts.  "We started by appealing to the staff of the Lab and received 100% participation, in excess of $20,000 towards the endowment as well as our operations.  Our board not only made a 100% commitment, but also worked tirelessly to educate the community about the value of the Sea Lab, generating even more support.  We believe our volunteer efforts to help the Sea Lab grow its services in the areas of research, education and coastal development management practices are well worth the time we contribute," she declared