Join the Wind Rose Society
To thank you for making an annual gift of $1,000 or more, we invite you to become a member of the Wind Rose Society. The Wind Rose Society is a special group of leadership donors whose contributions are critical to supporting and advancing the mission of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

Our Members Chart the Course
Fisherman and sailors rely on wind roses to provide crucial wind speed and direction readings. The contributions of the Wind Rose Society are vital to advancing our programs when opportunities or challenges arise.
As a member of the Wind Rose Society, you will be part of a visionary group of donors who care deeply about Maine's fishing economy and treasure the Gulf of Maine’s extraordinary ocean ecosystem. You will join a group of passionate donors who value science literacy and are dedicated to ensuring that all of Maine’s students, no matter where they wake up each morning, have access to high caliber science education.
Membership in the Wind Rose Society includes invitations to special events and experiences designed to draw you closer to GMRI leaders and to one another through social and networking opportunities with fellow members. As a member, you will receive insider communications about our work and will be invited to lend your voice to discussions about our core program areas.
Benefits and Experiences
We are grateful to our Wind Rose Society members for providing generous annual funding that allows GMRI to pursue our aspirational goals. We are pleased to offer Wind Rose Society members benefits and experiences that are unique to our organization’s work in the Gulf of Maine and are unavailable elsewhere. We invite members at each level to have deeper experiences with GMRI, our program and leadership teams, and with one another.
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Leadership Reception
Annual celebration for Wind Rose Society members, GMRI Board members, and staff to acknowledge and thank donors, toast accomplishments from the year, and preview the year ahead.
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Dive in with Don
Regular opportunities throughout the year to meet (in-person and virtually) with President & CEO Don Perkins, key staff, and fellow Wind Rose Society members to discuss program activities, pressing challenges and opportunities, and new market trends at GMRI.
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Frances Sail
Set sail aboard the Frances, a 74-foot sloop operated by Maine Sailing Adventures for a quintessential summer social outing. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a cocktail while sailing around Casco Bay with fellow Wind Rose Society members and GMRI staff.
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Don’s Book Club
Receive a book from President & CEO Don Perkins, personally selected for you from his own reading list.
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Coastal Excursion
Explore Maine’s coast with fellow Wind Rose Society members and GMRI staff through a curated outdoor excursion. Past events have included an oyster tasting cruise along the Damariscotta River and a tour of a scallop farm in Casco Bay.
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Merlin Voyage
Come aboard the Merlin, our 36-foot tuna fishing vessel, for a personal experience with fellow Wind Rose Society members. GMRI researchers and staff will be aboard to guide an educational voyage at sea.
Membership Levels
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$1,000 - $2,499 (Boatswain)
- Leadership Reception
- Dive in with Don
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$2,500 - $4,999
(Second Mate)- Leadership Reception
- Dive in with Don
- Frances Sail
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$5,000 - $9,999
(First Mate)- Leadership Reception
- Dive in with Don
- Frances Sail
- Don’s Book Club
- Coastal Excursion
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$10,000 - $24,999
(Pilot)- Leadership Reception
- Dive in with Don
- Frances Sail
- Don’s Book Club
- Coastal Excursion
- Merlin Voyage
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$25,000+
(Captain)- Leadership Reception
- Dive in with Don
- Frances Sail
- Don’s Book Club
- Coastal Excursion
- Merlin Voyage
- Custom Experiences
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