There’s a moment in every campaign when it stops being about the numbers, and becomes about the people behind them.

For Environmental Volunteers, that moment has arrived.

We are thrilled to share that, together, our community exceeded the $1 million goal for the Million Reasons to Raise a Million campaign, and did so ahead of the April 30, 2026 deadline.

And because of a generous dollar-for-dollar match from a longtime anonymous EV supporter, every gift was doubled.

What this really means is this: a passionate community came together and unlocked $2 million for nature-based science education, reaching students across our region and beyond.

We are still taking it all in. And as we do, we invite you to keep reading and see the impact this community has made possible.

What You Made Possible

When we launched this campaign, we asked a simple but bold question:
What could Environmental Volunteers become if we truly had the resources to meet this moment?

What followed was our answer.

A community came together, deeply believing that every child deserves the chance to experience the natural world.

Donors of every kind stepped forward. First-time givers. Longtime champions. Neighbors. Corporate partners.

On March 21, at Wake Up to Nature, that collective energy came alive. In a single morning, our community raised $275,000, one of the most energizing and inspiring moments in EV’s history.

And across the country, something equally powerful was unfolding. For the first time, all eleven Sprout Up chapters came together, not just to support their own campuses, but to support the broader mission of EV. Young people teaching, leading, and fundraising for something bigger than themselves.

In the end, this was never just about a number. It was about affirming something we’ve always believed to be true: that nature-based education isn’t optional.

It’s essential.

What $2 Million Looks Like

Here’s what this investment makes possible:

More students, more often.
We’re on a path to delivering more than 40,000 student experiences over the next three years, more than double our current reach. That means more hands-on science in classrooms, supporting the work of hundreds of teachers.

No child left out.
We’ll help more more students get outside to whose schools and families couldn’t otherwise cover the cost. Nature education shouldn’t depend on a zip code. With these funds, it won’t.

A revitalized EcoCenter.
Our home in the Palo Alto Baylands is one of the Bay Area’s hidden gems, it’s free, open, and alive with learning. This campaign allows us to invest in the EcoCenter as a true destination for hands-on nature science and community connection. If you haven’t visited lately, stay tuned.

Why This Matters Right Now

We don’t need to tell you: the world our children are inheriting is complex. Climate change. Disconnection from the outdoors. A growing sense of helplessness about the natural world.

But here’s what five decades of work have shown us:

When a child puts their hands in the mud, watches a tadpole, or spots a hawk feather on a trail, something shifts. Curiosity replaces fear. Wonder replaces apathy. A child who felt small begins to feel part of something larger.

Between kindergarten and sixth grade, children form the values and ways of seeing that will stay with them for life. Environmental Volunteers exists to meet them in that moment, to plant seeds of curiosity, empathy, and connection that grow far beyond the classroom.

The children who explore nature today become the scientists, advocates, and changemakers of tomorrow.

We’ve seen it happen for more than 50 years. And thanks to you, we’ll see it for many more.

A Deep Thank You

To every donor who gave—whether $10 or $10,000—you are the reason this campaign crossed the finish line. You are one of a million reasons to believe.

To our extraordinary volunteers, board members, and staff who carried this campaign forward, thank you for your tireless commitment and belief in what EV can be.

And to our generous matching donor: your leadership inspired a community and will ripple through classrooms, marshes, and schoolyards for years to come. We are grateful beyond words.

If you’d like to stay connected, we’d love to welcome you to the EcoCenter at 2560 Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto. Or browse our website to learn more about volunteering, bringing your school, or getting involved.

With gratitude,
Anu Ramamurty
Executive Director
Environmental Volunteers