The Texas Master Naturalist (TMN) Endowment was created as a partnership effort supported by both the Texas A&M Foundation and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation. Having two foundations working together to build sustainable funding for the TMN program speaks to the importance and incredible passion of the TMN volunteers.
The goal is to create a $5 million dollar TMN Endowment. This date and target amount was deliberately chosen. The annual budget for the TMN program is approximately $200,000. Reaching $5 million in funding for the TMN Endowment would generate a guaranteed minimum 4% return annually, providing $200,000 back to the TMN program. These funds would be used to bolster the TMN program, duplicate its efforts across the state, and support the local chapters in ways that cannot be done with the current funding and capacity.
For example, a contribution to the Texas Master Naturalist Endowment will provide the ability to expand the TMN program through additional administrative support, regional program coordinators to support local chapters, enhanced advanced training, curriculum, and youth program development.