There was a key word and dominant attitude stressed by the AAPG Foundation at the just-held 2026 International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy in Houston: Urgency.
As in, an urgency to tell everyone that a crisis threatens the profession and the future of geosciences – and that crisis is happening now.
As in, an urgency to inform supporters as well as the general public about how the Foundation is actively and aggressively finding ways to respond to and even battle the crisis – and they’re doing it now.
As in, an urgency to get people involved this historic campaign – and the time for involvement is, you guessed it: Now.
“Now is the time that matters” was the literal mantra for Foundation leadership throughout the four-day IMAGE event, held in mid-August at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center and adjacent Marriott Marquis Hotel.
The Foundation’s trustees and other leaders were talking about the recently begun Capital Campaign, an ambitious and era-defining initiative conceived to ensure the future of geosciences, energy, and the profession.
Its very title is: “A Campaign to Secure the Future of Geoscience.”
That campaign, now underway, seeks to raise $25 million, which will directly support both newly created and proven programs that exist “specifically for this critical and defining moment,” said Foundation Executive Director Rick Fritz.
A successful “quiet phase” of the campaign began earlier this year, and the efforts have raised almost $6 million to date.
Now, however, the campaign’s message and promotion are being taken to the larger global audience – including longtime Foundation supporters as well as those who are just now being introduced to the efforts. IMAGE provided a perfect platform for communicating the needs as well as the plans, aspirations, and goals.
Passionate and comprehensive messaging was delivered – sometimes academically, sometimes emotionally, always convincingly – by the entirety of Foundation leadership, via a variety of venues: The bustling booth in the exhibition hall; the annual Foundation Forum; videos that were recorded and released daily by a team of Foundation videographers; and, most especially, during the chairman’s reception.
“This may be the most important reception you’ll attend,” Foundation Chair Jim McGhay told the audience that night, “not just this year, but this decade. (Because) We are facing a critical time of support for who we are, what we do and what we can do tomorrow, and it’s a time that demands attention from all of us.”
“The Foundation is a public foundation,” McGhay said, “and we need a broad donor base to maintain the support for geosciences survival.”
Or, as Fritz said, “This message is for all of us … We are in a crisis situation, and the moment that matters is now.”
Making the Case
McGhay and Fritz were joined for the Houston reception by Capital Campaign co-chairs Dan and Pam Billman, who together answered questions and offered details about the Foundation’s current and planned programs, as well as answering questions from the crowd.
McGhay reminded the audiences that “across the country, universities are experiencing declining enrollments, shrinking research capacity and fewer opportunities for students to gain applied experience. At the very moment when energy, environmental and subsurface challenges are becoming more complex, the academic pipeline that supports our field is under real strain.
“That’s why we decided now is the time for action,” he reiterated, a theme that has become constant for the Foundation. “We have an urgency to build a better future for the geosciences and our profession – for all of us – so we’re making it easy for everyone to participate.”
Regarding the proposal itself, Dan Billman said the campaign’s funding would:
- Support current student programs, such as Grants-in-Aid, Military Veterans Geoscience Scholarships and Field Camp grants
- Support new programs for research and training, such as the AEGIS Research Grant program, and Scouting America
- Educate and enlighten students and the general public about the importance of geoscience and energy
- Fund innovative ideas that support the development of geology and related disciplines
The Foundation’s leadership objectives, they continued, were:
- To review and revise existing Foundation programs to assure long-term efficacy and support
- Support new science initiatives that benefit both the Foundation’s mission and the general public
- Provide effective communication and media programs to all potential donors
- Set clear, reasonable goals
“I think we all see now how crucial this campaign is to our future,” Fritz said, “and how important each of us are to the campaign.
“Never forget, you make the Foundation stronger,” he added. “The geoscience needs around the world are many, but the Foundation’s reach is deep, far and lasting. Lives are being changed, and they’ll continue to change – because of you.”
Joining the Effort
At all venues, the leadership reminded all: Getting more information about the campaign, and finding easy ways to support the initiative, is just an easy click away.
New websites – designed specifically for both the Foundation in general and the Capital Campaign in particular – make information about and engagement in the campaign is not only quickly accessible, but information and even entertaining.
Even those unfamiliar with the AAPG Foundation’s storied impact on geoscience education and professional development can get a compelling picture of its legacy as well as its vision.
The website features:
- Detailed information on goals and the specific projects that will benefit from the capital campaign
- Interviews with people who donate to and also receive benefits from the fund
- Testimonials from those who have felt the impact of the AAPG Foundation
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- Tools that make it easy to support the campaign
A final note: 100 percent of all contributions to the Foundation go to the programs you designate. Immediately. You can start making a difference today.
For detailed information, and to support the capital campaign, visit the newly designed Foundation website at aapgfoundation.org.
Trustee Associates also can visit a dedicated website at ta.aapgfoundation.org.
Also, feel free at any time to contact the Foundation team members by email at info@aapgfoundation.org.