Generating an Endowment in Support of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library's Core Humanities Activities

FAIN: CH-51111-13

New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, NY 10458-5126)
Susan Fraser (Project Director: May 2012 to November 2017)

Endowment for collections acquisition, conservation supplies and staff time, and library exhibition program expenses for the NYBG's LuEsther T. Mertz Library.

The New York Botanical Garden requests a $500,000 Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, which will be matched by $1,500,000 in additional funds raised, to establish an endowment in support of the core humanities activities--collections, conservation, and exhibitions and related programming--of its LuEsther T. Mertz Library. The income generated by a Library endowment will enhance these activities by allowing the Library to acquire unique archival, art, rare book, and photographic collections; upgrade the Conservation Program's ability to care for these collections; and expand the Library Exhibition Program to draw on the expertise of humanities specialists and collections from around the world. With a steady stream of endowment funding, the Garden will achieve a key strategic goal of modernizing the Mertz Library and increasing the impact of its materials and services to the public.