Financial Pages

Many thanks to our 2000 contributing members. We are happy to be able to report that contributions this year were up 36 percent over 1999. On the other hand, we have to report that the Foundation is still far from the goal of being able to establish the LPF in Ely with an office of its own and full-time executive director. But it remains our ultimate goal and we continue to work on the assumption. Meanwhile we are building up the LPF Endowment, which, while slower, brings us closer to our goal.

Here is a picture of our income and distributions for 2000.

We have just had the good news that taxes will be reduced 50 percent in 2002 thanks to the conservation easement negotiated with the Minnesota Land Trust, saving about $2,000 p/a and reducing taxes to 17 percent of expenditures. Maintenance includes our annual payment to the MLT Stewardship Fund, the cost of road repair due to storms, and restoration of the sauna, which was beginning to rot at the bottom (see Fall/Winter 2000 Newsletter, p. 6).

The 48.7 percent of expenditures for education includes office and miscellaneous costs, which relate directly to LPF programs.

Please note that all services, including repair of the sauna, excepting work on the road, have been by volunteers.

Where Do We Go From Here?

We begin the year with this issue of the newsletter and the Sigurd Olson 102nd Anniversary Dinner at the Sunspree at Ely, April 21, the eve of Earth Day. We are preparing to replace the roofing at the cabin over Memorial Day so it will be all ready and serene in time for summer visitors. We are inviting artists and writers to a summer workshop on wilderness interpretation at Ely during the week of August 5-11. This, plus the newsletters, networking, writing, and speaking engagements about Sigurd Olson and wilderness education.

The question among nonprofits these days seems to be, How much are you spending on fund raising? Our answer, for better or worse, is ?not much? because we can't afford it and, with the fierce competition for funds, shouldn't even try. Or, perhaps, we cannot afford not to. It's a dilemma.

In the meantime, full and grateful credit goes to each of you fellow members and wilderness lovers for filling our sails. As you close your tax account for the year, do remember to keep the LPF on your priority list for 2001!

Thank you. RKO and the Board of Directors

The Listening Point Wilderness Legacy Endowment

Would you like to be remembered as a friend of the wilderness who helped to bring the joy and meaning of wilderness to future generations? Sigurd Olson left his legacy. Why not follow his example and leave your own legacy in a will or bequest?

The Listening Point Wilderness Legacy Endowment, guided by the best conservative investment policies, will assure that your legacy is used for wilderness preservation and education in perpetuity, or however you specify: a special program, a place close to your heart, a special person or group within the scope of the Listening Point Foundation program and objectives.

To maximize the value of your contribution, the endowment carries no fees beyond those associated with normal investment practices.

For further information call or write Robert K. Olson, President, The Listening Point Foundation, 13567N Uhrenholdt Dr., Hayward, WI 54843, telephone 715-634-2305. All communications and conversations are strictly confidential and not internet accessible.