Funding for the Abrahamic Program

In the beginning the Abrahamic Initiative was self-contained: staffed and funded from within the budget of the Department of Religion. In 2000, however, the Helen Boyle Family generously committed $60,000 a year for five years to the program. A life-long Chautauquan, Helen Boyle has worked for peace and justice all of her life, and she thus sees her family’s commitment to the building of the Abrahamic Community through their support of the Abrahamic Program as a fitting continuation of her life’s work. An additional request made to the Boyle Family to increase and to extend funding for several years has recently been honored.

Because of the Boyle Family and their funding commitment, Chautauqua has also been able to secure additional funding of $30,000 a year for three years from Muslim Friends of Chautauqua, a contribution initiated by Chautauqua’s long-time dialogue partners, the Isma’ilis – a gift which includes contributions from Sunni, Shiite, and Sufi Muslims alike. It is hoped that this funding will also be increased and extended.

Chautauquans Peter and Nancy Waasdorp, as well as Mark and Dianne Foglesong, who have a special interest both in Chautauqua’s international work as well as in creating local efforts, have also generously established endowments (with access to principal) for the Abrahamic Program.

Needless to say, other such sources of generosity and support continue to be sought.