Endowed Development Fund - donors
The Endowed Developments Fund generously supports the Centre and its student researchers. Learn more about the Fund and how you can contribute.
What is the ARC Endowed Development Fund?
The Antarctic Research Centre (ARC) Endowed Development Fund supports the work of the Centre by providing small grants to postgraduate students, with research links to Antarctica, to take-up some amazing opportunities that would not have otherwise been possible. It was launched in June 2004 by co-Patron Dr Barrie McKelvey.
With increasing pressures on funding for university research, and with the goal of ensuring that we can continue to provide young scientists with opportunities for conducting research in the Antarctic, the ARC is looking to its own alumni and friends, many of whom have expressed their support for the Centre in the past, for financial support for the ARC Development Fund. The Development Fund is an endowment managed by Victoria University of Wellington Foundation, with interest income used to fund the grants, and the capital retained in perpetuity.
Message from ARC founder Prof Peter Barrett
Victoria University of Wellington has conducted scientific expeditions to Antarctica every year since 1957. Professor Bob Clark and our two patrons began a wonderful tradition with that first small expedition. By the time I arrived 14 years later it culminated in the formal establishment of the Antarctic Research Centre in 1972, since then I have had the pleasure and privilege of "keeping the show on the road". Antarctic science and the experience it gives young people are of great value. We want to ensure that this tradition continues - you can help us with your support.
Message from patrons Dr Barrie McKelvey and Prof Peter Webb
Over fifty years ago we sailed from Wellington on the HMNZS Endeavour for Antarctica. We had just completed Geology III and Professor Bob Clark had somehow got us on board, ostensibly to attempt gravity coring in McMurdo Sound. That coring never eventuated, but VUWAE and many future Antarctic research careers did! A lot of people helped us achieve that first VUWAE field season in Southern Victoria Land. This generous support has remained at the heart of much VUWAE research ever since.
Antarctica has played a prominent part in both our research careers. But more importantly, the Antarcticans we met along the way, and the diverse situations we encountered taught us a lot about co-operation, about coping, and about ourselves. We are the better for it. The ARC Endowed Development Fund will allow future graduate students, irrespective of the careers they pursue, similar opportunities and benefits to ours. We wholeheartedly commend the Development Fund to you, and warmly encourage your support.
Why Antarctic research?
The ARC continues to grow since it's mostly exploratory work in the early years to providing world-leading research on Antarctic climate change, sea-level rise and its effects on New Zealand and the SW Pacific. The ARC has developed programmes for studying Antarctic climate in the recent past from sediment and ice cores, and more recently developing and improving numerical models of climate-ocean-glacier and ice sheet systems.
How will the funds be used?
The goal for the Appeal is a capital sum of NZ$1,000,000, providing an annual income of about $40,000 which will be shared in support of:
- a three-year PhD scholarship in perpetuity,
- postgraduate students to undertake field work in Antarctica each year, ensuring the future of research and field experience at the ARC,
- postgraduate travel to international summer schools in glaciology, modelling, and paleoclimatology,
- postgraduate student travel to international conferences and workshops, to present their scientific discoveries on a world-stage,
- opportunities to work with collaborators in world-class analytical facilities,
- development of new programmes, eg costs of field equipment or analytical work beyond the scope or budget of current programmes.
The Fund is managed by the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation, and decisions on disbursements are made by a Committee of the Antarctic Research Centre.
How you can support the ARC
- Endowed grant for Antarctic Field Work
(named in honour of the Supporter)
$100,000, or $35,000/year for 3 years - Gold Supporter
$50,000, or $1,600/month for 3 years - Silver Supporter
$10,000 - $49,999, or $300 - $1,600/month for 3 years - Bronze Supporter
$1,000 - $9,999, or $30 - $300/month for 3 years - Friends of VUWAE
Up to $1,000
We urge donors to consider supporting the ARC Endowed Development Fund through a monthly automatic payment. We should also like donors to consider a gift to the Centre through a bequest in their will—a tremendous way to show support while not impacting on a donor's financial needs during their lifetime. For information see the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation website.
All donations are made through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation, a registered charity, and are therefore eligible for a charitable gift taxation rebate.
For donors in the USA, gifts may be made through the US Friends of Victoria University Inc., and may be eligible for US charitable tax benefits. For more information go to: www.wgtna.ac.nz/us-donations
For donors from the United Kingdom, gifts can be made through the Friends of Victoria University of Wellington and may be eligible for UK charitable tax relief. For more information on donating go to: www.wgtna.ac.nz/uk-donations
Benefits to Supporters
Named grants will be acknowledged in all references to the grant and in Antarctic Research Centre publications.
Gold supporters will receive public acknowledgement on our Honours Board, website and in our newsletter.
Silver and Bronze supporters will receive public acknowledgement on our Honours Board.
How to Donate
There are a range of options for donating to us, the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation website explains how you can donate, including on-line payment with a credit card.
If you want to discuss making a donation, please contact us at
Email: Antarctic-Research@vuw.ac.nz
Telephone: +64 4 463 6587
Fax: (+64/0) 4 463 5186
or write to us at:
Antarctic Research Centre
Victoria University of Wellington
PO Box 600
Wellington
New Zealand
Thank you!