FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2026
CABS Establishes the Butch Kronlund Endowment Fund
We’re pleased to share that CABS has established the Butch Kronlund Endowment Fund for the Community Association of Big Sur at the Community Foundation for Monterey County.
The fund was made possible through the generosity and vision of two longtime supporters of CABS who sought to strengthen the organization’s future through permanent charitable investment. In December 2025, an anonymous donor established the Butch Kronlund Endowment Fund for the Community Association of Big Sur with a $100,000 gift, with the intention of supporting the CABS mission in a more impactful way while honoring Butch’s legacy.
In January 2026, the CABS Board approved a $100,000 match from the Community Association of Big Sur Resilience Stewardship Fund, bringing the endowment to $200,000. Longtime CABS supporters, the Kleissner Family, previously established the Stewardship Fund with a significant gift in 2023. Growing the endowment continues their long-term vision of creating a permanent financial resource in support of the people and places of Big Sur.
What does this exciting milestone mean for CABS and the community we serve? An endowment does not immediately support day-to-day operations. It is a permanent fund where the money invested allows for a small portion of annual earnings to be accessed or used. While the current endowment provides a modest portion of CABS’ operating budget (less than 5%), it is designed to grow gradually, strengthening long-term stability and allowing us to invest more deeply in the Big Sur community over time.
We are intentionally building this endowment over time to ensure CABS’ long-term resilience. In the meantime, our ongoing work continues to rely on grants, partnerships, and community support, including our annual Monterey County Gives! campaign, which remains essential to sustaining our programs and advocacy.
“Butch would be both honored and humbled by this gift of an endowed fund that reflects his commitment to be of service to the Big Sur community with his thoughts, words and actions.” said Patte Kronlund, Executive Director of CABS. “He would be the first to say that everything is relational, especially when it comes to Big Sur. I am deeply touched by these gifts which demonstrate the work and commitment of the CABS organization for 60 years. We are proud to partner with our donors and the CFMC to steward these resources wisely.”
Donate to the Endowment today: www.cabigsur.org/donate
Full Joint Announcement – CFMC: cfmco.org/CABS
Thank you for your continued support of the Big Sur community through CABS
– The CABS Staff and Board of Directors