The Innovation Fund

What is the Innovation Fund? The Innovation Fund is established to support projects that foster collaboration for conservation to help Friends of Ottawa NWR reach unprecedented levels of excellence, especially in the areas of land acquisition and restoration, public use projects, and youth services. 

Your gift will work to support refuge priorities like public access points, land and water trails, and intern stipends.

Through November 22, 2020, you have the opportunity to vote on which project you'd like to see as a priority for the coming year.

​In January 2021, the Board of Directors will determine how the funds will be spent and communicate that information back to you through our website, email, and letter of thanks.
Priority Projects
  • Fox Unit: Establishing Public Access and Hiking Trail (State Route 2, Oak Harbor, OH)
  • Marinewood Unit: Increasing Public Access and Hiking Trail (State Route 163, Port Clinton, OH)
  • Expanding Paddle Opportunities at one of 5 areas on refuge (Nehls Unit, Marinewood Unit, Upper and Lower Toussaint Units, Little Portage Unit)
  • Intern Stipend (adopting an intern or two for 2021)
  • Land Acquisition (buying land to become part of Ottawa Refuge)

With your help we can harness the life-transforming power of nature by preserving Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge for future generations.  Collectively, the Friends of Ottawa NWR Board of Directors launched the fund with $1,000.00 in matching funds!  Will you help?
Donate on #GivingTuesday, December 1, 2020 (or date checks December 1, 2020) to help us to be eligible for an additional match from the Greater Toledo Community Foundation!