National Ground Water Association

(WESTERVILLE, OH — August 7, 2012) The National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation has launched a major fund-raising campaign to underwrite national and international groundwater projects.

“This is the first major campaign the Foundation has undertaken in nearly 16 years. Our ultimate goal is to raise at least $3 million over the next 18 months,” said Steve Schneider, MGWC, president of NGWREF. Schneider stressed that 100 percent of funds raised will go to Foundation programs.

A range of programs provide excellent opportunities for those interested in supporting groundwater initiatives that benefit people and the environment, said NGWREF Vice President Art Becker, MGWC, CPG.

The Foundation will continue to seek support for programs such as groundwater research, the Henry Darcy Distinguished Lecture Series in Groundwater Science, and the William A. McEllhiney Distinguished Lecture Series in Water Well Technology. However, NGWREF proposes to fund a number of new programs as well.

“For example, in our Developing Nations projects we will not only continue to help drill water wells for people in need, but we will also offer training and operating standards to help set up ongoing maintenance projects, too,” said Becker. “This will help increase the sustainability of the water well programs — a serious issue of many water well projects around the world.

“We also want to start a domestic assistance program through our Water Wells for America program, where we can help elderly people and other special populations in rural areas with their water well needs,” he continued.

Following are the campaign funding areas:

• Workforce Development, $1.25 million, which includes the lecture series and NGWREF’s two scholarship programs
• USA Groundwater Fund, $1 million, which includes the domestic water well assistance program, public education programs focusing on groundwater and water wells, and education and training for groundwater professionals
• Developing Nations Fund, $500,000, which includes the international groundwater supply projects, and education and training
• Groundwater Research Fund, $150,000, which finances new research considered important to understanding groundwater resources and water well systems
• 21st Century Fund, which allows donors to make flexible, unrestricted gifts to meet funding opportunities that arise.

“Persons interested in learning more about the NGWREF campaign can obtain a campaign booklet online,” said Kevin McCray, CAE, the National Ground Water Association’s CEO and NGWREF liaison.

Learn more about NGWREF by clicking here or call 800 551.7379 (614 898.7791).

__________________

NGWREF, founded in 1994 as an IRS-approved public charity, is operated by NGWA as a 501(c)(3) public foundation focused on conducting educational, research, and other charitable activities related to a broader public understanding of groundwater.

NGWA, a nonprofit organization composed of U.S. and international groundwater professionals — contractors, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, scientists, and engineers — is dedicated to advancing groundwater knowledge. NGWA’s vision is to be the leading groundwater association that advocates the responsible development, management, and use of water.

###