The Pest Management Foundation (PMF) has announced the first group of founding donors to its new Legacy Fund, an initiative designed to support long-term research in the pest management industry. Early contributions have already exceeded $115,000, marking a strong start to the fundraising campaign.
The Legacy Fund was launched following a $1 million anchor commitment from the Gary W. Rollins Foundation, which structured its support as both an upfront donation and a matching grant. Every dollar contributed to the fund is being matched dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000, significantly increasing the impact of new donations.
Once fully funded, the Legacy Fund is expected to reach a $2 million target and generate approximately $100,000 annually to support applied research in pest control. The initiative aims to strengthen innovation and long-term resilience within the pest management industry.
Initial founding donors include Arrow Exterminators, Moxie Pest Control, John and Susie Myers, Pest Management Systems Inc., and Plunkett’s Pest Control. These early contributions were recognized as key steps in building momentum for the broader fundraising effort.
The foundation emphasized that the Legacy Fund represents an important milestone in its 65-year history of supporting industry research and development. Leadership noted that early donor participation helps set a precedent for broader community involvement and long-term investment in scientific advancement.
A public fundraising event will also be held as part of the campaign during the NPMA Executive Leadership Forum. The event will feature themed activities, networking opportunities, and promotional materials tied to the Legacy Fund initiative, with a minimum donation required for attendance.
According to the foundation, all donations are dedicated directly to research initiatives, with administrative costs capped at 5% to ensure most funds go toward scientific work. The organization is encouraging additional contributions from companies and individuals across the pest management sector.
The Legacy Fund campaign remains open, with matching funds still available, offering donors an opportunity to double the impact of their contributions while supporting future pest management research and innovation.
