This story was originally reported in the Burlington Free Press on August 7, 2012 by Dan D’Ambrosio and is available online here.  Our thanks to Dan and the Burlington Free Press and a reminder to contact Coordinator@Commongoodvt.org with news announcements, job postings, RFPs, grant notifications, events postings, or other items for the VT nonprofit community.  You can also contact us directly at 802.862.1645 x21 or find us on facebook and twitter.

The Hoehl Family Foundation has pledged $1 million to Lund for its drive to buy a new home for its programs in adoption, child care and education, as well as its Parent Child Center.

“Lund is extremely grateful for this very generous leadership gift from the Hoehl Family Foundation,” Barbara Rachelson, the agency’s executive director, said in a statement. “The Hoehls have been close to Lund for many years and have supported a variety of our activities.”

Lund serves families with children, pregnant and parenting teens and young adults, and adoptive families. Founded in 1890 as a maternity home, Lund works with more than 5,000 clients annually and has completed more than 8,600 adoptions since its founding.

The new building at 50 Joy Dr. would complement Lund’s residential treatment center located nearby on Glen Road in Burlington. The campaign goal is $3.5 million.

The Hoehl Family Foundation was created in 1996 by Robert Hoehl, co-founder of the IDX software company, now GE Healthcare, along with his wife, Cindy, and their children. Robert Hoehl died in November 2010 at age 68.

The gift to Lund is not the first large donation made by the Hoehl Family Foundation to organizations in the Burlington area. In 2008, the foundation gave $1 million to the Stern Center for Language and Learning in Williston.

The foundation also gave $2 million to the St. Michael’s College scholarship fund in 2003 — Hoehl was a 1963 graduate — and $1 million in 2007 to establish a scholarship fund for children of Vermonters who served with the U.S. military in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Many large donations have gone to other organizations including the Preservation Trust of Vermont, The Community Health Center of Burlington, The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, The Boys and Girls Club, Dismas House, Burlington Community Land Trust and the United Way.

“The foundation has distinguished itself by becoming one of Vermont’s most thoughtful and generous philanthropic agencies,” Rachelson said. “Lund is honored to become part of the Hoehl legacy.”