Davis foundation gives $20M to Scenic Hudson

Shelby Cullom Davis started out with $50,000 on Wall Street after World War II and built a family empire, eventually leaving $900 million to the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation. The foundation”™s goal was to support education and other worthwhile causes at the time of his death, something it”™s been doing since 1994.
The Davis family has a long history in financial circles, with three generations of Wall Street wizards to boast about.  The Davises are also known for charitable giving, so it didn”™t come as much of a surprise when Mrs. Kathryn Davis announced she”™d be making a donation to Scenic Hudson. The amount, however, staggered: $20 million to preserve and protect the famous river.
Davis, who celebrated her 100th birthday in February, “is the most engaging and delightful person you”™d ever want to meet,” said Margaret King, senior manager for foundation and corporate relations at Scenic Hudson. “She”™s a fantastic lady with a fantastic vision.”
Davis donated the money June 15 in Tarrytown, where she maintains her home and  enjoys the view of the majestic river ”“ one she”™d like to see remain as is for generations to come.  
An avid environmentalist and kayaker, Davis”™s gift to Scenic Hudson seemed a natural fit for the chair emeritus of the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation. She hopes it will inspire others to help preserve 100,000 acres of threatened land along the banks of the river. Scenic Hudson estimates it will take $1 billion to achieve that benchmark. The Davis contribution will certainly make a significant dent in the nonprofit”™s goal.
According to Jay Burgess, Scenic Hudson”™s director of communications, Davis”™ largesse is the biggest gift any environmental group in the Hudson Valley has ever received, one his outfit hopes will be replicated by others. Scenic Hudson is working on the 2009 celebration of Henry Hudson”™s 400-year mark sailing the Half Moon up the storied river. Davis has every intention of being there for the watershed event.