Where does the Great Lakes Protection Funds money come from?
Seven Great Lakes states provided one-time contributions to create the Fund’s permanent endowment. The states of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin have contributed $81 million to the Fund’s permanent endowment. This endowment is invested to produce income. Two-thirds of the Fund’s net income is dedicated to regional projects that produce tangible improvements to the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. The remaining third is distributed annually to the member states in proportion to their original contribution, so that the member states can support their Great Lakes priorities.
