Projects We’ve Helped Fund
Explore past grants awarded by the Foundation to support research, public exhibitions, conservation, and educational initiatives across North America.
Past Grant Recipients
Explore the inspiring work made possible through our funding. From groundbreaking research to educational outreach, these projects reflect our mission to support scientific discovery and learning in archeology, paleontology, and astronomy.
Meteorite Exhibits
Grant awarded: Meteorite Exhibits
Recipients: Multiple
Purpose: Distribute large Campo del Cielo meteorites to public venues for hands-on exhibits.
Outcome: Ongoing
Clark Telescope Restoration at Lowell Observatory
Grant awarded: Lowell Observatory
Project Coordinators: Samantha Christensen, Kevin Schindler, Ralph Nye, Antoinette Beiser, Jeff Hall
Purpose: The Toomey Foundation is the lead sponsor for the restoration of the famous Clark refracting telescope at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Clark telescope played important roles in the study of Mars (Percival Lowell), the nature of the expanding universe (V. M. Slipher), and the mapping of the Moon in advance of the Apollo Program. Since its transition to an outreach telescope, more than 1 million visitors have looked through the Clark telescope.
Outcome: Fundraiser was completed in the Spring, 2013. Restoration began in 2013. Restoration completed in 2015.
Molecular Paleontology of Marine Turtles – NC State University
Grant awarded: North Carolina State University
Project Coordinator: Edwin Cadena
Purpose: Molecular paleontology of Mesozoic and Cenozoic marine turtles of Colombia.
Outcome: Research published in 2015.
Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway Exhibit – Florida Museum of Natural History
Grant awarded: Florida Museum of Natural History
Project Coordinator: Russell Daws
Purpose: Funding for the exhibition Alien Attack: Target Everglades
Purpose: To promote education about the top ten most invasive plants and animals in the Everglades and southern United States. This program will allow for the identification of invasives locally as well as give an understanding of how to prevent their spread.
Fossil Exhibit Continuation – Trailside Museum
Grant awarded: University of Nebraska Trailside Museum of Natural History Excellence Fund
Project Coordinator: N/A
Purpose: Funding for the continuation of museum exhibits.
Curation of Hutchens Fossil Collection
Grant awarded: Sue and Steve Hutchens Collection
Project Coordinator: Bruce J. McFadden, Ph. D.
Purpose: Curation of the private collection of fossils donated by Steve and Sue Hutchens
Outcome: Fossil specimens collected in Florida and Nebraska were donated to the Florida Museum of Natural History and have been incorporated into the collection.
Fossil Tortoise Research Publication Support – Florida Museum of Natural History
Grant awarded: University of Florida; Museum Bulletin Endowment
Researcher(s): Dana J. Ehret
Purpose: Funding granted to the Museum Bulletin Endowment to help supplement the costs of publishing research involving fossil tortoises.
Thomas Farm Fossil Site Research – Florida Museum of Natural History
Grant awarded: University of Florida; Ben B. Coffey, Jr. Endowment
Researcher(s): David Steadman
Purpose: Contribution made for further investigation of the Thomas Farm, Florida fossil site operated by the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Outcome: Ongoing
Megalodon: Largest Shark Exhibit – Florida Museum of Natural History
Grant awarded: University of Florida
Project Coordinator: Florida Museum of Natural History
Purpose: Funding for the “Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived” exhibit.
Outcome: The exhibition features a 60-foot-long walk-through shark sculpture and highlights the evolution, biology and misconceptions regarding giant prehistoric sharks.
Microvertebrate Fossil Collection – New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
Grant awarded: New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
Researchers: Gary S. Morgan, Nicholas J. Czaplewski
Purpose: Collection of small bats and other micro-vertebrate fossils to gain knowledge of early evolutionary history of bats, as well as other samples from the midwestern badlands.
Outcome: The participants continue to gather specimens and research material from Midwestern Oligocene deposits.
Fossil Club Speaker Series – Florida Museum of Natural History
Grant awarded: University of Florida
Project Coordinator: Bruce J. McFadden, Ph.D.
Purpose: To support informative talks with fossil clubs within the Florida area and facilitate proactive collaboration of events between groups.
Outcome: As of 2006, Dr. Bruce McFadden has conducted numerous talks with fossil clubs as well as prepared and emailed an electronic brochure.
Tusks! Mammoths & Mastodons Exhibit – Florida Museum of Natural History
Grant awarded: University of Florida
Project Coordinator: Florida Museum of Natural History
Purpose: Supplement funding for the traveling exhibit “Tusks! Ice Age Florida’s Mammoths and Mastodons”.
Outcome: The specimen – rich exhibit provided educational opportunities about ice age mammals and information revealed through fossil discovery.
Solar System Scale Model by Alachua Astronomy Club
Grant awarded: City of Gainesville
Recipient: Alachua Astronomy Club
Purpose: Create a scale model of the solar system to aid as an educational tool for conceptualizing the solar system and beautify the city of Gainesville, Florida.
Outcome: The project was completed in 2001 and can be used by elementary schools and the general public.
Interested in Applying?
If your research or education aligns with our mission in Archeology, Astronomy, or Paleontology, we welcome your proposal for consideration.