Mission Statement
The purpose of the Miller Fund is to protect and conserve open space and the environment in Chester County. An annual Miller Fund Challenge Grant is available to support a non-profit organization which provides creative solutions to open space preservation and the wise use of environmental resources. The challenge portion of this grant can be met in different ways, such as in-kind donations, volunteer support, and/or receiving new grant dollars. A Miller Fund Grant can be used for the following: the creation of a park, trail, or recreation area; a public or school-based environmental education effort; research and publication about an important environmental issue; volunteer and leadership development; a demonstration project with wide-use application.
Grant Application Guidelines
Download a copy of the Marjorie L. and Arthur P. Miller Grant Guidelines for review.
News
2016 Miller Fund Challenge Grant was awarded to The Land Conservancy of Southern Chester County to assist in the development of educational materials and interpretive signage.
About the fund
The Millers established their fund at the Community Foundation to award an annual grant in perpetuity which encourages communities and nonprofits to preserve and protect natural resources such as their streams, woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife areas. The focus of the Fund’s grant is to provide nonprofits with the resources to complete a project that is specific, tangible in nature, and that provides “a measurable sense of accomplishment” for their efforts. The Millers believe that seeing a project come to fruition substantiates an organization, its members and volunteers, their hard work, and provides evidence of tangible success.
About the Millers
The Millers, who are the authors of seven books on environmental and historical topics, are also active on many area nonprofit boards and in local community groups. Marge served many years on the Chester County Parks and Recreation Board, Chester County 2020, and Maysie’s Farm and still serves on the boards of the American Red Cross Retiree Association and the Main Line Symphony Orchestra, to name just a few. Art has served on the board of Delaware County Press Club and serves as secretary of the Bryn Mawr Mainliners barbershop chorus. They are also frequent lecturers at Elderhostels, speaking on Trails Across America, the national scenic and historic trail system, and they lead hikes around the Delaware Valley for the Main Line School Night Hiking Club
Past grant recipients:
True to the donor’s charitable intent, projects funded in the past have been for specific, relevant and applicable ideas.
French & Pickering Conservation Trust
to assist in the construction of an ADA compliant fishing pier
Willistown Okehocking Nature Center
for their Okehocking Nature Trail Signage. Read about the New Trail in West Pikeland Township,
partially funded by the Millers. Learn More About the Trail.
West Pikeland Land Trust
to assist in the construction of a trail as part of a riparian buffer restoration project
Camphill Village-Kimberton Hill
for clearing the pollution and debris from an overgrown tributary to
French Creek and planted native vegetation to establish a free-flowing stream
Green Valleys Association
for its Welkinweir Interpretive Trail and solar energy interpretive display
Maysie’s Farm Conservation Center
for its sustainable agriculture program so they could visit and study about other local ventures
Red Clay Valley Association
for helping complete the Red Clay Greenway Trail in Kennett Square
Community Gardens
for new plantings at a Coatesville Habitat for Humanity site
Land Conservancy of Southern Chester County
for its new environmental programs
Kennett Township Land Trust
for the completion of its wildlife sanctuary
Maysie’s Farm/The Montgomery School
for a joint project to plant vegetable gardens
The Jenkins Arboretum
for its environmentally friendly educational center and Community Gardens for the
4th grade community garden project at Exton Elementary School.
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2005: Marjorie L. & Arthur P. Miller, Jr. Fund | Full PR