An update on PRI’s current position and financial challenges - August 2025
An update on PRI’s current position and financial challenges
August 15, 2025 | Also posted to Mortgage Campaign Landing Page
As we closed out our fiscal year in June, we’re proud to share that we have raised $1 million toward retiring the mortgage on the Museum of the Earth, with another $1 million pledged as a matching challenge. Every dollar given between now and the end of the year will be matched 1:1—bringing us closer to our $3.1 million goal to secure the Museum’s future in Ithaca, NY.
We also raised more than $600,000 in unrestricted funds that go toward general operating expenses, making it possible for us to continue to serve our large and varied audiences with collections, science, and education.
Thanks to support from the National Science Foundation and the Tompkins Tourism Program, we opened a new temporary exhibit in June, and visitation is nearly double last summer’s numbers. Our signature summer programs—Gorge Walks, fossil collecting trips, and tree phenology hikes—are in full swing, and we’re planning an exciting lineup of fall programs. Some of our team will also attend the Geological Society of America conference in Texas this fall to share research and offer our popular Paleozoic Pals for sale.
We still have work ahead. We need to raise more than $500,000 in unrestricted funds in fiscal year 25-26. But we’ve made remarkable progress this year and remain committed to our mission—thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of our friends and supporters.
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PRI has been serving audiences locally and nationally for decades. Thanks to donor support, we’ve raised significant funds over the past year and a half, proving that people value and believe in our mission. Every gift, no matter the size, has helped us keep the doors open and the lights on.
We remain committed to our mission and to building a sustainable future.
We are deeply grateful to all our supporters, donors, and members who have championed our organization recently. Whether by sharing our online resources, encouraging others to give, or contributing personally, your support has made an incredible difference. Some of our donors have supported the Institution since before we even had a physical museum, while others are new supporters who recognize the importance of preserving this local treasure. No matter the size of the gift, we are profoundly thankful for every contribution.
It is because of this generosity that we are still here, working to continue this vital work.
Thank you for standing with us.
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Read the Original Announcement from December 2023 | PRI Downsizing Amidst Financial Challenges
Read the Update from January 2025 | An Update of PRI’s restructing and financial challenges