“It’s an easy decision to move money from Goldman Sachs to the Northern Forest Fund.

We’re gaining a huge return in terms of community benefit.”

After living abroad, across the US, and traveling extensively, Connie and Craig Weatherup chose the Adirondacks as their permanent home.

“We love the natural beauty here,” explained Connie. “You walk outside, and it makes you feel wonderful.” The land around their home in Paul Smiths, NY, and the forests, mountains, and rivers of the Adirondack Park, fulfill their recreational and spiritual needs.

Seeing the bigger picture

As they got involved in the region, Connie and Craig saw the challenges imposed by a dwindling population. “The demographic trends here dwarf everything,” said Craig, whose style of inquiry and commitment to solution-oriented strategies mirrors the Center’s.

“The objective – full stop – is to reverse the decline in young families and the collapsing of school systems,” said Craig. “I hope that five years from now we’re gaining in population of young families. That would really help the towns and villages.”

Partnering for impact

The Center – already engaged in community revitalization through its work in Millinocket, Maine, Lancaster, NH, and other communities – teamed up with the Weatherups and others to develop and implement the Attracting New Residents strategy in the Adirondacks.

To tackle this complex issue, the Weatherups committed to a philanthropic contribution and an impact investment for the Center’s first regional capital fund, called the Northern Forest Fund.

“Supporting the Northern Forest Fund seemed the best opportunity to move the needle,” said Craig. “Outright gifts have leverage, but capital also has leverage. They work best together.”

Capital and gifts work best together

The Weatherups shifted a portion of their investment portfolio to the Northern Forest Fund, accepting a modest financial return in exchange for a significant community benefit.

“It’s an easy decision to move money from Goldman Sachs to the Northern Forest Fund,” Connie noted. “We’re gaining a huge return in terms of community benefit.”

For Connie and Craig, investing in the Northern Forest isn’t just about preserving beauty—it’s about creating vibrant communities where families can thrive. They hope others who share their love for this region will join them in making that vision a reality.

To keep the momentum of impact investment going, the Center opened the Northern Forest Fund II this year. See below or contact our staff to learn more about this investment opportunity.