The Chewonki Foundation announced that after 18 months of fundraising effort and unparalleled participation from Chewonki participants, Chewonki has met the terms of The Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant and will realize that organization’s coveted award.

“Chewonki has been working tirelessly on this campaign, aimed primarily at increasing our endowment for scholarship, and we’ve spent the last 18 months squarely focused on meeting The Kresge Challenge,” said Chewonki President Don Hudson. “To be able to celebrate this accomplishment today in such an unpredictable economy, when families and individuals are already financially stretched, is a passionate testament to the importance our constituents place on environmental education. We are deeply grateful to all who participated.”

Chewonki’s efforts will result in an $850,000 award from Kresge. In a statement, Kresge President and CEO Rip Rapson said: “Our Trustees commend your commitment to ecological sustainability and believe your high impact educational activities are providing valuable information and experiences for all ages.”

The Kresge Foundation, established in 1924, is a $2.8 billion private foundation that supports communities in the United States and around the world by strengthening the nonprofit organizations that serve them. In 2008, the foundation awarded 342 grants totaling $181 million. In addition to their support of Chewonki, Kresge awarded grants to five other Maine organizations in 2007 and 2008, including Preble Street Resources, Maine Historical Society, Sisters of Charity Health System, and the North Haven Community School.