For further MBL News and Media Information, contact the MBL Communications Office at (508) 289-7423 or e-mail us at comm@mbl.edu


November 13, 2006

MBL, WOODS HOLE, MA— The MBL (Marine Biological Laboratory) announces that an anonymous donor has pledged a challenge grant to establish an endowment for the Falmouth Forum, a series of free lectures, performances, and presentations that has been brought to the community by the MBL Associates since 1990. The donor will provide one dollar for every two dollars rasided up to $50,000, towards a goal of raising a $150,000 endowment.

The Falmouth Forum shares nationally known and respected artists, writers, performers, historians, and other scholars with the public. The cost of bringing this series has grown in recent years.  Past financial support for the Forum has been provided by the MBL Associates and the MBL has provided the use of its facilities and support staff. The 2006-2007 Falmouth Forum season is being supported in part by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.

A fundraising committee comprised of individuals who enjoy the Falmouth Forum—and appreciate the work of the MBL Associates in creating and maintaining it—has been developing plans to meet the challenge grant. Committee members include Cynthia Eaton (chair), Carlyn Ellms, Sallie Giffen, Nina Whitney Hocker, Barbara Woll Jones, Meryl Langbort, Prudence Reynolds, Marilyn Sheprow, Mindy Todd, and John Weyand. The committee is currently approaching foundations, corporations, and individuals in the community and to date has received nearly $18,000 in gifts and grants, including $1,000 from The Cape Cod Five Charitable Foundation. Their goal is to complete the challenge by the end of 2007.  To learn more about supporting the Falmouth Forum, contact Kristine Johnson, 508-289-7766, kjohnson@mbl.edu.

The next Falmouth Forum presentation will be held on Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the MBL’s Lillie Auditorium, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole.  Jay Allison, award-winning independent radio producer, and founder of the public radio stations, WCAI and WNAN, will talk about “citizen storytelling” and public participation in public media in a lecture titled “’This I Believe’ and the Power of Shared Story.”  The series will continue throughout the fall and winter. For more information and the full schedule, visit http://www.mbl.edu/events/falmouthforum

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The MBL is an international, independent, nonprofit institution dedicated to discovery and to improving the human condition through creative research and education in the biological, biomedical and environmental sciences. Founded in 1888 as the Marine Biological Laboratory, the MBL is the oldest private marine laboratory in the Western Hemisphere. For more information, visit www.MBL.edu

Since 1944, the MBL Associates has promoted the scientific mission of the MBL.  The group supports the Annual Fund, provides a formal connection for anyone interested in learning about the institution, and sponsors gifted students and promising young investigators.  Members also raise funds for special projects and organize educational and cultural programs for the MBL and the community. In addition, they operate the MBL Associates Gift Shop, located on Water Street in Woods Hole, the profits from which support scientific fellowships.