About the Fund

The Schappert-Nestor-Newman Endowment Fund (formerly, the Schappert-Nestor Endowment Fund) was established by Susan Schappert in December 2021 in conjunction with the Massachusetts Audubon Society to help historically underrepresented people further their educational and career goals related to environmental stewardship on Cape Cod and elsewhere in Massachusetts.  More specifically, the fund is being used to provide job opportunities and professional development for early-career individuals and to increase staff diversity and opportunities in the environmental fields.

 

The endowment originally commemorated Susan's mother, Alice Dew Schappert (1927-2000) and Susan's close friend, Bridget Davoren Nestor (1930-2018)), who led exemplary lives and can hopefully serve as role models for other young professionals.

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In 2024, the endowment was expanded to include Susan's dear friend, Laura Newman (1948-2023).   Laura was a life-long advocate for historically underrepresented and under-resourced people.  In recent years, she devoted herself to helping recent asylees adapt to life in this country, especially helping them to achieve their educational and career goals.