YOSAR Donation Accounts

Funding/Donation Accounts

Due to its rugged environment and high visitor use, Yosemite National Park has one of the busiest and most demanding Search and Rescue (SAR) programs in the National Park system (see statistics). As a public agency, the National Park Service provides these SAR services at no charge to accident victims, lost hikers or stranded climbers. Search and Rescue efforts are paid for through government SAR accounts. Monies donated to endowment and donation accounts, however, fund a large percentage of SAR training, equipment, uniforms, and special projects. Without this funding, many of the opportunities to improve the SAR team abilities and response would not be possible. In addition, the donated funds also support preventative programs in the Park. To find out more about each fund and how you can make a contribution, click on the titles below.

For more information on government and fund expenditures, please refer to the introduction of this document.

Margaret Lescher Endowment

Responding to a detailed description of Yosemite's search and rescue programs by John Dill, the late Margaret Lescher of Contra Costa County donated $100,000 to establish an endowment to support the Yosemite Search and Rescue program. Proceeds from the invested funds can be used to hire interns, obtain and test new equipment, or expand educational programs designed to prevent emergency incidents in the Park.

Her generous gift is just the beginning; anyone can contribute specifically to the endowment. Our goal is to double the principal, providing approximately $15,000 per year of income to search and rescue efforts.

Donations can be sent to: The Yosemite Fund, care of

The Margaret Lescher Search and Rescue Endowment Fund
155 Montgomery Street Suite 1104
San Francisco, CA 94104

The Mountain Safety Fund

The Mountain Safety Fund was created to support the SAR and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs of Yosemite National Park. The Yosemite Association, a non-profit organization, administers the Fund.

In the past, the Mountain Safety Fund has enabled the SAR office to purchase necessary equipment such as specialized equipment and to present public education programs. The funds have also been used to enable SAR team members to attend swiftwater, rigging and, search training that would otherwise not be possible.

Contributions are tax-deductible as defined by law. Memorial donations are welcome. If you would like to contribute to The Mountain Safety Fund, please send your check to:

The Mountain Safety Fund
c/o Yosemite Association
P.O. Box 545
Yosemite, CA 95389

Rex Kahler Memorial Fund

The Rex Kahler memorial fund is in memory of Rex, who lost his life going over Nevada waterfall. The funds are used to increase visitor awareness of the dangers of the Yosemite waterways through signs and educational programs.

Contributions are tax-deductible as defined by law. Memorial donations are welcome. If you would like to contribute to the Rex Kahler Memorial Fund, please send your check to:

Rex Kahler Memorial Fund
c/o Yosemite Association
P.O. Box 545
Yosemite, CA 95389