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topicnews · August 27, 2024

US National Parks Receive Record-Breaking Donation Worth 0 Million: These Are the Donors

US National Parks Receive Record-Breaking Donation Worth $100 Million: These Are the Donors

An Indiana-based nonprofit has made a historic $100 million donation to an organization that supports and protects national parks across the United States.

Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. donated the funds to the National Park Foundation, the NPF announced Monday. The foundation called the donation “transformative” and said it was the largest donation the foundation has ever received.

“The National Park Foundation is inspired and incredibly grateful for this extraordinary gift from Lilly Endowment,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, in a press release.

The aim of the foundation is to protect wildlife and parks, preserve history and culture, and educate and inspire young people, the press release states.

The funds will help prepare a new generation of park managers

The Foundation plans to use the funds to support four important purposes, including:

  • Creating opportunities for young people to better understand history and environmental protection
  • Protecting and conserving threatened parks and wildlife by supporting initiatives around the ecosystems and species that depend on national parks
  • Ensuring national parks can keep pace with increasing growth and integrate new technologies in an accessible way
  • Tell the country’s story more comprehensively and give a voice to communities that are often excluded

The grant will support the Campaign for National Parks, a $1 billion fundraising effort launched by the NPF to address the greatest threats to the National Park Service, including rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, visitor flows, changing visitor demographics and aging infrastructure.

What is the Lilly Foundation?

Lilly Endowment Inc. is a nonprofit organization that supports community development, education and religion.

N. Clay Robbins, chairman and CEO of Lilly Endowment, said in the press release that the organization’s founders supported research and educational programs, particularly in the field of archaeology and the country’s cultural history.

“We are therefore pleased to advance their interests through this grant,” Robbins said. “We believe the National Park Foundation’s campaign will enhance programming and promote the future vitality of our nation’s wonderful system of parks, monuments and historic sites.”

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757th. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at [email protected].

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