What is the Great Lakes Protection Fund?

It's a publicly capitalised, private corporation formed in 1989 by the governors of states around the Great Lakes in North America. The Fund uses a one-time contribution of public funds to test initiatives that improve the health of the Great Lakes and enable states to support their own Great Lakes priorities.

Where have you heard about the Great Lakes Protection Fund?

The Fund was in the news in May 2017 when it was announced that Lee Swindall had been appointed to serve as the organisation's new Executive Director. He joined GLPF in July 2017, becoming the third Executive Director to hold the position since GLPF's founding in 1989.

What you need to know about the Great Lakes Protection Fund.

The Fund is a membership corporation, and the governors of states that have paid their share of the initial capital are members ex officio. Currently, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania are members in good standing.

As of March 2017, the Fund had used earnings from the endowment to support 269 regional projects, investing over $78 million in grants and loans. The Fund has also provided over $48 million of additional support directly to member states for their discretionary use. But the Fund is prohibited from expending the publicly funded endowment.