Announcing:
For over 30 years, FMR has been a strong, balanced, and effective conservation leader in the Twin Cities. Together with our supporters and partners, the river is healthier, enjoys better protections, and is a beloved community treasure many people are ready to defend.
But there is still work to be done. The Upper Mississippi, recently named the most endangered river in America, faces urgent threats from climate change, industrial agriculture, short-sighted development and public policies, and systemic inequities, making the next 10 years critical for the future of the river and its communities.
That's why we're launching the Our River Campaign. Our goal is to raise $5 million to mitigate these urgent threats.
At the heart of this campaign is the vision of a healthy Mississippi River. The impact of the Our River Campaign will be transformational and enduring in Minnesota and for all the downstream communities along the 2,350-mile river.
It all starts here.
Our River Campaign pillars:
Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative
FMR is leading a 10-state coalition to advance the first comprehensive federal initiative to protect the Mississippi River from the headwaters to the Gulf.
Learn more from the Our River Campaign overview.
Agricultural landscape change and water quality
We're part of a first-of-its-kind collaboration to innovate new market-based approaches to address the largest source of pollutants to the river — runoff from agricultural lands.
Learn more from the Our River Campaign overview.
Youth & community engagement
We're expanding our youth programs to train and inspire the next generation of diverse environmental leaders, building advocacy for the river and growing volunteer stewardship opportunities throughout our community.
Learn more from the Our River Campaign overview.
Land conservation
Growing our reserve of resources will allow us to seize opportunities to restore critical ecological land along the river and its tributaries in the Twin Cities metro area.
Learn more from the Our River Campaign overview.
Organizational capacity
To continue our vital work protecting the Mississippi River, FMR needs to make critical investments in the long-term health and sustainability of the organization.
Learn more from the Our River Campaign overview.
Download the Our River Campaign overview or summary.
Support the Our River Campaign
Thank you to our campaign lead donors!
Friends of the Mississippi River extends our deepest thanks to our lead campaign donor for their investment in FMR and the future of our river. Together, we’re protecting, restoring and enhancing the Mississippi River for this and future generations.
$1,000,000+
Thane & Blanche Hawkins
$500,000 - $999,999
Anonymous
Cochineal Charitable Trust
$100,000 - $499,999
Anonymous
Steve & Susan Boren King
Stewart & Lesley Crosby
Chad & Maggie Dayton
Edward & Sherry Ann Dayton
Ellie Crosby - The Longview Foundation
Peter & Mary Gove
HRK Foundation
Julia Kaemmer Fund of HRK Foundation
Art Kaemmer, MD
Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation
The Paul and Mary Reyelts Foundation
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
$10,000-$99,999
Bruce F. Vento Science Educator Scholarship Fund
Dr. Lynn E. Broaddus & Dr. Marc H. Gorelick
Page & Jay Cowles
The Driscoll Foundation
Greg McNeely
Stuart Nielsen
John & Marsha Soucheray
Susan Vento
Deanna Wiener & Jim Tilsen
$1,000-$9,999
Gordon Andersson
Anonymous
Kerrie Blevins & Mike Walstrom
Ronnie & Roger Brooks
James R. Cargill II
Whitney & Sarah Clark
George Dunn & Donna Harris
Forrest & Lisa Flint
Dan Gjelten & Lisa Burke
Diane & John Herman
Kate & Sam Knuth
Perry McGowan & Sheila Smith
Hokan & Penny Miller
Thomas Reiter & Sharon Miyamoto
Under $1,000
Adriana Alejandro-Osorio & Paolo Provenzano
John Anfinson
Sara & Sean DeKok
Tessa Enroth & Michael Jones
Aubre Parsons & Jens Kvaal
Ellie Rogers & Louis McLaughlin
Nou Yang
Top photo credit: David Wheaton