Grant doubles impact of donations to arboretum

As part of its $63 million Growing Brilliantly capital campaign, the Morton Arboretum in Lisle has announced the launch of the $1 million Hamill Family Challenge, which doubles the impact of giving from other donors supporting the campaign.

The Hamill Family Challenge will match new campaign donations dollar for dollar through the end of 2017. Part of a $3 million gift to the arboretum from the Hamill Family Foundation, the $1 million challenge and the giving it inspires will support five key initiatives, including tree science and conservation programs, a new curatorial and operations center, and plant production facilities at the arboretum.

Nancy Hamill Winter of the Hamill Family Foundation has a longtime connection to the Morton Arboretum, where she served as a trustee from 1999 to 2007. Originally from Kane County, she first visited the arboretum as a child, taking classes with famed arboretum naturalist May T. Watts.

A graduate of the arboretum's naturalist certificate program, she has long advocated and worked for the protection and conservation of natural spaces around the Chicago area.

"We are grateful for the generosity of the Hamill family and their desire to help ensure a future where trees thrive in the Chicago region and beyond," arboretum President Gerard T. Donnelly said.

The $3 million gift from the Hamill Family Foundation will support tree science and conservation initiatives that are local and international in scope, including funding opportunities for training and collaborative research through the establishment of the Center for Tree Science.

Additionally, the $1 million Hamill Family Challenge will allow other donors to the Growing Brilliantly campaign to have an even greater impact with their donations.

Donors to the five-year, $63 million Growing Brilliantly campaign are building an arboretum for the future and investing in tree research and conservation. Key initiatives include the redevelopment of South Farm, which serves as the curatorial and operations hub for the 1,700-acre arboretum; establishment of the Center for Tree Science; tree conservation initiatives; enhancements to the award-winning Children's Garden; and investments in new plant development.

To learn about the Morton Arboretum's Growing Brilliantly campaign, visit mortonarb.org and click on the Join and Support tab.