Posted by Mary Paisley, Duke Lemur Center Development Director, on November 9, 2026
The Duke Lemur Center is proud to announce that the Charles Welch and Andrea Katz Conservation Fund has surpassed $300,000 in gifts, achieving the minimum funding level required for a permanently restricted endowment at Duke University.
Established in honor of retired DLC Conservation Director Charles Welch and retired Colony Curator Andrea Katz, the fund recognizes their extraordinary contributions to lemur conservation and the Duke Lemur Center’s decades-long partnership with communities in Madagascar.
The fund began in late 2024 with leadership support from five donors who each committed $25,000 toward its creation. Since then, 65 donors have contributed toward growth of the fund through gifts and pledge commitments, turning a shared vision into a lasting source of support for conservation. The fund has about $46,000 in additional pledges, and will continue to grow as conservation donors choose the fund for special one-time gifts, legacy gifts, and future bequests of any amount.
“Andrea and I are excited and humbled to learn that the CW/AK endowment has now reached the level at which earnings will go specifically to DLC conservation efforts in Madagascar. Many many thanks to all whose contributions have made the fund and this moment possible. May the endowment continue to grow and expand support for the communities and biodiversity of exceptional Madagascar!” – Charlie Welch
What is an endowment?
Unlike annual fundraising gifts that are spent within the fiscal year they are received; an endowment gift is invested to generate income year after year while preserving the principal. As the fund grows, it will provide a dependable stream of revenue to support the conservation programs that Charlie and Andrea helped build, helping protect Madagascar’s unique biodiversity far into the future.
The Duke Lemur Center’s conservation initiatives, including community partnerships, environmental education, sustainable livelihoods, and habitat restoration efforts, will benefit from this enduring source of support.
“This fund represents more than a financial milestone,” said DLC Director Greg Dye. “It is a lasting commitment to conservation and a tribute to the leadership, vision, and dedication that Charlie and Andrea brought to the Duke Lemur Center for so many years.”
The Charles Welch and Andrea Katz Conservation Fund remains open to new gifts and future estate commitments. Donors interested in creating impact that extends beyond their lifetimes may also choose to support the DLC’s general endowment, The Lemur Center Fund, which provides permanent support for the organization’s greatest needs.
Together, these endowments help ensure that the Duke Lemur Center’s work in conservation, research, education, and animal care will continue for generations to come.
Learn more:
Charlie’s Retirement Event May 17, 2025
Charlie Welch, Planter of Seeds Article
Andrea Katz Career Retrospective
Duke Lemur Center Legacy Gifts
Duke Lemur Center IRA/QCD Gifts
Questions? Contact Mary Paisley, Duke Lemur Center Development Director, at 919.401.7252 or mary.paisley@duke.edu.