The Cape Cod Foundation Announces New Animal Welfare Fund

The Cape Cod Foundation is pleased to announce that they have received a significant bequest from the estate of Shirlee Burd to establish the Robert D. and Shirlee G. Burd Animal Welfare Fund of The Cape Cod Foundation. The fund will provide annual grants totaling approximately $50,000 to five named beneficiaries that provide programs and services for the benefit of animals, wildlife and marine life. In addition, funds may be allocated on a discretionary basis to respond to significant opportunities that would have broad impact in benefitting animals, wildlife and marine life on Cape Cod.

Ms. Burd, a mathematician for the Atomic Energy Commission in Albuquerque, was a graduate of Northwestern University. She and her husband of 51 years, Robert, were both active members of their communities. They were avid sailors, gardeners and lovers of animals. Shirlee and Robert retired to Marstons Mills where they could often be found sailing on the Marstons Mills River and participating in other sailing adventures as members of the Catboat Association. Shirlee was also a member of the United Methodist Church in Osterville and was very involved with the Osterville Garden Club, serving as President of that group from 1985-1987 and earning status as an honorary member.

“We are honored to have been selected to steward this very generous gift and are proud that we can help perpetuate Shirlee and Robert’s memories and love for animals through these annual grants in their names,” said Kristin O’Malley, Executive Director of The Cape Cod Foundation.