Great Salt Lake Rising announces major contributions to support lake conservation

Great Salt Lake Rising, a philanthropic effort to raise awareness and funding to benefit the Great Salt Lake, has announced the receipt of significant new philanthropic commitments from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and convenience store company Maverik. 

The commitments mark “an important step forward in efforts to support conservation, water stewardship and long-term sustainability for the Great Salt Lake,” the organization said in a statement.

Both the Miller foundation and Maverik have committed to make $10 million donations to Great Salt Lake Rising to help accelerate collaborative, community-driven solutions aimed at preserving one of Utah’s most vital natural resources. These contributions, along with a previous $10 million commitment by the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, will support efforts to save and restore the Great Salt Lake and include support for Great Salt Lake Rising as it directs these efforts.

“The Great Salt Lake is essential to Utah’s environmental health, economy and quality of life,” said Josh Romney, Great Salt Lake Rising board chair. “Recent efforts — including the state’s purchase of U.S. Magnesium’s land and water rights to help keep more water in the Great Salt Lake — underscore just how interconnected the lake is to Utah’s future. These philanthropic commitments build on that momentum, supporting collaborative, long-term solutions that help protect the lake and the communities that depend on it.”

Great Salt Lake Rising reiterated that the Great Salt Lake plays a critical role in supporting wildlife habitats, air quality, recreation and economic activity across the region. However, prolonged drought, population growth and increased water demands have placed the lake under significant pressure. Great Salt Lake Rising brings together philanthropic partners, community leaders and conservation organizations to advance awareness, encourage water conservation and support initiatives that help stabilize and restore lake levels.

“Protecting the Great Salt Lake is about protecting the future of our communities,” said Greg Miller, trustee of the Miller Family Foundation. “We are proud to support Great Salt Lake Rising and to join with partners across the state who are committed to ensuring this resource remains vibrant for generations to come.”

“At Maverik, we believe in showing up for our communities in meaningful ways, and protecting the Great Salt Lake is an important part of that commitment,” said Crystal Maggelet, CEO of FJ Management, Maverik’s parent company. “Through this investment, we’re proud to support collaborative, long-term solutions that help preserve the lake and strengthen the region for the future.”

These major new commitments build on early support for Great Salt Lake Rising from the Clark & Christine Ivory Foundation, the Boyer Co., the Gardner Group and Mitt and Josh Romney, “reflecting growing momentum behind efforts to preserve and protect the Great Salt Lake,” the Great Salt Lake Rising release said.

“Our family recognizes that now is the time to step up and support those doing the most impactful work to save the lake,” shared Karen Marriott, a Utah resident and trustee of the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation. “We are at a moment that requires everyone to do their part — reducing outdoor water use, adopting water-wise landscaping and supporting organizations working to preserve the lake. The consequences are too great if we do not all act.”

“These major commitments reflect something broader: growing support for the Great Salt Lake from families, organizations and companies that recognize both its importance to Utah and its significance beyond our state,” the Great Salt Lake Rising statement concluded.