ROCKLAND — Recently, Trekkers unveiled a public launch of a capital campaign, The Road Ahead Campaign for Trekkers’ Future. The campaign launch video, a collaboration between Trekkers alum, students, and staff, introduces why the organization is fundraising and key campaign priorities, including building upgrades like a new kitchen, a climbing wall, and the creation of an outdoor gathering space.

To help promote the campaign, Trekkers enlisted Class of 2021 alum Gillian Lindsey to create and edit the campaign launch video. Lindsey also sits on Trekkers 30th Anniversary Committee as a marketing volunteer, attends school at York Community College, and works part-time as a nanny.

“I decided to volunteer on the 30th Committee to give back to Trekkers, which was such an important program for me as a student and continues to influence my life today,” said Lindsey, in a news release. “The idea of helping Trekkers build a new space for students and help them have a great Trekkers experience was too exciting to pass up.”

Thanks to the generosity of early campaign supporters, Trekkers has already raised over 90% of their $2,500,000 campaign goal. On March 6, 2024, the office of Maine First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced that Trekkers was awarded $921,250 in federal Community Project Funding. The funding was requested by Congresswoman Pingree and Senator King and recently passed by the House of Representatives, Senate, and signed by President Biden as part of a fiscal year 2024 Appropriations Bill. The funding will help support The Road Ahead Campaign for Trekkers’ Future goal of building a thriving campus, dedicated to helping its students thrive.

Trekkers has been silently fundraising for the past two years, and the campaign includes other non-building priorities, like hiring Training Director Diane Sternberg, creating a board-designated innovation fund, and adding a third bus to its fleet.

“We are so proud that Trekkers alum and students are leading the way in helping us celebrate our 30th anniversary and launch The Road Ahead Campaign,” said Kate Elmes, Director of Development. “Their involvement in the same effort as something that crossed the President’s desk is just extraordinary. It shows what is possible when our community comes together towards a shared vision.” 

Trekkers’ 30th Anniversary is a year-long celebration and coincides with The Road Ahead Campaign for Trekkers’ Future. The campaign will run through the end of the year. To help Trekkers raise the remaining $150,000 needed in campaign funds, The MOSI Foundation, at the direction of Gerry and Evelyn Isom, have included a 1-1 match for all new and increased Campaign gifts up to $25,000. It is Trekkers’ single biggest matching gift of all time. Trekkers will also continue to celebrate its 30th year on communication channels and through events during the year. 

To learn more about the campaign and get involved, visit trekkers.org/TheRoadAhead.

About Trekkers:   

For 30 years, the nonprofit organization Trekkers has been dedicated to helping young people thrive. Through its unique six-year mentoring and expeditionary learning program, research shows programs help to increase students’ resiliency skills, ability to build positive relationships, and develop aspirations for the future. To learn more, visit trekkers.org.