The Bend Foundation was the 2024 honoree spotlighted by the High Desert Museum at the High Desert Rendezvous, which raised a record $630,000! Brooks’ Chairman and Trustee of the Bend Foundation, Mike Hollern, spoke at the August 24 event and accepted the honor.
The 35th annual High Desert Rendezvous is one of Central Oregon’s longest-running charitable events, and funds raised go to support the programs and exhibitions of the High Desert Museum.
Founded in 1947 by Brooks Scanlon, Brooks Resources and its shareholders, The Bend Foundation has continuously invested in the health and vitality of Central Oregon. And The Bend Foundation has championed the Museum and the educational opportunities it brings to the region, from the initial idea for a museum to its grand opening in 1982 to today.
The Bend Foundation’s community support focuses on adding to the legacy of providing public art in Bend, promoting cultural, educational and intellectual enrichment programs, and enhancing or preserving our physical environment.
“It is our pleasure to continue to support nonprofit and public organizations that work to enhance the cultural and intellectual experiences in our community,” said Romy Mortensen, Bend Foundation Trustee. “The High Desert Museum is a shining example of one of these organizations that is consistently providing opportunities for growth, discovery and enlightenment and we are proud to support it.”
“We are extraordinarily grateful to the generosity of Rendezvous attendees and this community in supporting the work of the Museum,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “The Bend Foundation in particular has provided continued leadership and commitment to the Museum throughout its 42 years, which is all the more vital as we consider what the next four decades will look like.”
Funds from the Rendezvous support the Museum’s exhibitions, wildlife encounters and educational programs that inspire wonder and learning about the High Desert region. The Museum every year opens up to nine new temporary exhibitions, cares for more than 120 animals and welcomes thousands of school children for field trips. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, nearly 225,000 people visited the Museum.
About The Bend Foundation
Established and funded by Brooks Scanlon, Brooks Resources and its shareholders, The Bend Foundation was originally formed in 1947 as a resource for injured loggers and mill workers, and to provide scholarships for industry workers. With its mission having evolved to assist in enriching the lives of the residents of Bend, Oregon, its key focus is to contribute to nonprofit and public organizations that add to the legacy of providing public art in Bend, promote cultural, educational and intellectual enrichment programs that benefit the community, and enhance or preserve our physical environment. www.bendfoundation.org
