Headshot of Elizabeth wearing glasses and a polo shirt and headshot of John with a mustache and wearing a suit and tie. Both are smiling at the camera.

Legacy of Education and Community Support Lives On Through Gallifent Endowment at DRI

By | May 11, 2026 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

The DRI Foundation is honored to announce that DRI recently received a generous donation from the estate of Elizabeth “Betty” Gallifent for the Betty & John Gallifent endowment. The Gallifent Endowment provides essential unrestricted support to advance DRI strategic priorities, such as the Innovation Research Program (IRP). The IRP provides essential seed funding for early-stage research projects at DRI, allowing DRI scientists to test promising ideas and build the initial data needed to secure larger state and federal grants. We are grateful to Betty and John, as well as Betty’s family, for the Gallifent’s continued generosity to DRI. The Gallifent Endowment will provide essential support to DRI for generations to come.

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Family silhouette in front of house and clouds.

Take Charge of Your Estate: DRI Foundation Partners with Community Foundation for 7-Week Series

By | Mar 11, 2026 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

Interested in learning more about estate planning and want to take charge of your estate matters? Sign up for the Family Estate Planning Series, presented by the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada and PBS Reno! The free, in-person 7-week Spring Family Estate Planning Series will take place on Wednesdays, March 18 – April 29, 2026. Each week will feature subject-matter experts as guest speakers and cover the fundamentals of estate planning.

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Image of Beth Campbell sitting in a chair with a book in her lap.

The DRI Foundation Welcomes New Chair and Trustees for 2026

By | Jan 8, 2026 | Announcements, Foundation Announcements, Detra Page

The DRI Foundation, the non-profit arm of DRI, is pleased to announce new members to its Board of Trustees. The DRI Foundation Board of Trustees work in close collaboration with DRI President Kumud Acharya and the Office of Advancement to engage and build relationships with new and existing supporters to further DRI’s work across Nevada and around the world.

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Desert shrubs and wildflowers are visible on the side of a mountain on a cloudy day.

Five Simple Ways to Support DRI This Giving Season

By | Dec 4, 2025 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

A year-end donation, no matter the amount, provides immediate support for our scientists’ work and DRI’s strategic priorities. Here are five simple ways that you can help support DRI this giving season: Donate to mission support, gift curiosity lab season tickets to a loved one (or yourself!), donate appreciated stocks, make a qualified charitable distribution, and leave your legacy through a planned gift. Your support makes our important work possible. Thank you!

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Sunset over the mountains with a yucca plant in the foreground.

Support Science That Matters Now

By | Nov 13, 2025 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

Recently, in celebration of Nevada Day, DRI highlighted the work that our scientists do across this great state. And while our home has been in Nevada since our founding in 1959, our work has grown to touch nearly every corner of the globe. Whether it’s analyzing ice cores in the Alps, working with local communities to ensure access to clean water in Ghana, or supporting K-12 educators as they bring high-quality, hands-on STEM education to Nevada’s classrooms, the projects our scientists undertake are tied together by a common goal – to help create a more sustainable and resilient environment for all people to live, grow, and prosper.

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People standing in front of a water tower.

Leonard and Sara Lafrance: Champions of Clean Water in Ghana

By | Sep 8, 2025 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

Leonard and Sara Lafrance have pledged their support for the continuing work of DRI’s Center for International Water and Sustainability (CIWAS). Their two-year gift will support Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in the North and North East Gonja District of the Savannah Region of Ghana. Specifically, this gift will fund project components that include WASH entrepreneurial empowerment for women, increased WASH services for health care facilities, well drilling for water access, water quality management, and overall project management.

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Black text logo of ECO Electrical Systems

Eco Electrical Joins DRI’s Corporate Partners Program

By | Aug 13, 2025 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

The DRI Foundation is excited to announce that Eco Electrical Systems has joined the 2025 DRI Corporate Partners Program. Eco Electrical Systems has been designing and manufacturing bird guards for power lines for over 23 years. Their industry leading flame-retardant, track resistant and UV resistant products reduce avian and wildlife electrocutions, wildfires stemming from avian electrocution, and momentary and permanent power outages for some of the largest electric utilities. The Corporate Partners Program brings together a select group of organizations to collaborate with DRI leadership, scientists, engineers, and students.

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DRI Foundation: DRI Legacy Council logo over a purple sunset with mountains.

Leave Your Legacy in Science, Through a Gift to DRI

By | May 13, 2025 | Donor Stories, DRI Communications

Including DRI in your estate through a planned gift is a remarkable testament to your belief in the powerful impact of science to develop solutions to address how humans are impacting their environments and how the environment impacts humans. A planned gift could be a bequest in your will or living trust, a charitable remainder trust, or naming DRI as a beneficiary of a retirement plan fund, life insurance policy, or other.

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