For the Camps / For the Future
Randolph Mountain Club Campaign 2026-27
RMC members and friends,
We are very excited to announce two generous, anonymous challenge gifts to support RMC priorities, and to ask for your support in matching them:
*a $75,000 challenge gift to match donations for essential repairs and upgrades at RMC camps
*a $100,000 challenge gift to establish a permanent RMC endowment.
Both challenges are dollar-for-dollar matches. Gifts and pledges through December 31, 2026, will count towards the Camps Challenge, while the Endowment Challenge will run through December 31, 2027. Please consider a gift to support one or both of these great opportunities.
Supporting Our Camps: A $75,000 Challenge
Providing safe, durable and welcoming mountain facilities for members and the public is central to the Club’s mission. We need to raise $150,000 to underwrite standing-seam metal roofs at Crag Camp and Gray Knob; a caretaker’s tent platform at the Perch; new privies at these three camps; and five new windows at Gray Knob.
These critical projects require resources well beyond the Club’s normal operating budget and limited reserves; we hope that you will consider a special camps gift in addition to your annual dues and customary donations this year. For members, the annual dues letter is enclosed with this mailing.
In October, the RMC board voted unanimously to proceed with fundraising for the camps, and all board members have contributed. Shortly thereafter, an anonymous friend of the RMC offered to match every dollar given or pledged, up to $75,000, through December 31, 2026.
This extraordinary opportunity represents a once-in-a-generation investment in RMC’s major facilities. We hope you will join us in making this a success.
Securing the Future: A $100,000 Endowment Challenge
The RMC is now 115 years old, and we think of the Club as a permanent organization, one that will always offer its trails, camps and other opportunities to future generations of hikers and guests from Randolph and around the world.
Today, nearly all Club resources are dedicated to essential programs: stewarding 102 miles of trails, supporting trail crews and caretakers, and maintaining the camps. While the RMC has always managed its funds very carefully, there has been no safety net, and no permanent reserve that provides a portion of operating expenses.
A permanent endowment will provide long-term financial stability as it does at many other non-profits, and it will help protect the Club if key funding sources – such as the federally funded New Hampshire Recreational Trails Program (RTP) – are reduced or eliminated.
An anonymous $100,000 matching donation gives us the opportunity to begin building a stronger financial foundation. Invested wisely and used sparingly in keeping with best practices, an RMC endowment will eventually grow to the right level, but reaching $200,000 is a very important first step. All endowment donations will be matched $1 for $1 until December 31, 2027.
We hope that many RMC members will make the Club just a bit more of a priority in 2026 and 2027 so that both challenges can be fully met. Together, we can extend the great experience offered by our camps and help secure the Club’s financial future.
Where we are so far
Camps Challenge
As of December 31, 2025, the camps campaign had $36,453.57 in gifts towards our $75,000 goal. This is fantastic progress.
Endowment Challenge
RMC members have pledged $15,000 to the endowment challenge so far. Only $85,000 in gifts and pledges remain to complete the match and reach our initial goal.
What you can do – Ways to Give
The Club has updated its options for charitable gifts to include
*Appreciated stock and mutual fund shares
*Qualifying charitable IRA distributions
*Checks, credit cards and cash.
If you have questions, please contact Scott Meiklejohn, campaign chair, at scottm04079@gmail.com, or Adam Berger, RMC Treasurer, at Treasurer@randolphmountainclub.org.
Getting it Done
John Tremblay, the RMC’s go-to builder, will direct the projects at the camps over the next two seasons, along with RMC alum and former director Benzo Harris and caretakers, trail crew and RMC volunteers. Helicopter fly-ins will play a key role in carrying out the work and are included in our $150,000 total.
We aim to have all camps projects completed by the fall of 2027. Please watch for information on volunteer assistance opportunities, including carrying materials up and down the mountain – we hope that volunteer efforts will help us stretch every donated dollar.
Thank you for your anticipated support of and continued commitment to the Randolph Mountain Club.
