The 2010 Philanthropic 50: Environmental

by Editorial

As environmental concerns weigh down on the nation, these philanthropists provide much-needed aid.

Roger and Vicki Sant

Roger and Vicki Sant

John E. “Chip” Akridge

Chip Akridge

Chip Akridge

The National Mall wouldn’t be the same without John “Chip” Akridge. A real estate mogul at the helm of his eponymous development company, Akridge gave $250,000 to start the Trust for the National Mall in 2007 and has helped raise much more to restore the 700-acre park, which still needs $350 million in restoration funds. Last year, the National Capital Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council honored Akridge with its Member of the Year award for his dedication to environmental issues, including his work with the Trust for the National Mall and his extensive support of The Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Keith Campbell

An environmental pioneer, Campbell has contributed millions to help save and protect the Chesapeake Bay.  His Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment has been instrumental in providing over $40 million in grants and investments to Bay-specific organizations since 1998. His environmental works continues through his service as chairman of the board of trustees of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Louisa du Pont Copeland Duemling

Duemling supports environmental causes, individually and through her foundation, the Louisa Copeland Duemling Charitable Lead Trust. From working with the environmental think tank World Resources International to her involvement with her family estate-turned-nature conservancy, the Mt. Cuba Center, she continues to be an inspirational conservationist. In addition to donating $250,000 to the University of Delaware in honor of her uncle, Pierre S. du Pont, she and her mother, Pamela Cunningham Copeland, generously donated over $500,000 to the Center for Environment & Society at Washington College.

Teresa Heinz

Teresa Heinz

Teresa Heinz

Saving the environment is a passion Heinz holds close to her heart. She serves as chairman of the Howard Heinz Endowment and the Vira I. Heinz Endowment, providing an effective resource to fight global warming. With an estimated personal fortune set in the high nine-figure range, she helps to provide millions of dollars to environmental organizations, as well as funding research through The Teresa Heinz Scholars for Environmental Research program.

Roger and Vicki Sant

Want to see what kind of impact this philanthropic duo has had on both the local and international levels? Just visit the Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, where they donated $25 million to the institution’s ocean projects. Also more-than-notable is their $20 million gift to the Amazonian region though the World Wildlife Fund, and an additional $25 million to restore and protect the Mesoamerican reef. Locally, they are generous in their giving to the Phillips Collection, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the Kennedy Center.

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