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US national parks receive record-high $100 million gift: Here's who gave it and where it's going
By Saleen Martin, USA TODAY,
8 hours ago
An Indiana-based nonprofit has donated a historic $100 million gift to an organization that supports and protects national parks around the United States.
Indianapolis-based foundation Lilly Endowment Inc. donated the funds to the National Park Foundation, NPF announced Monday. Calling the grant “transformative,” NPF said it’s the largest donation the foundation has ever received.
“The National Park Foundation is inspired by, and incredibly grateful for, this extraordinary gift from Lilly Endowment,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation , in a news release.
The foundation’s goal is to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture and educate and engage young people, according to the news release.
Lake Michigan laps against the sandy shore north of Miller Woods in Indiana Dunes National Park. Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Funds will help ensure a new generation of park stewards are prepared
The foundation plans to use the funds to help four key causes, per the release, including:
Creating opportunities for young people so they can better understand history and environmental stewardship
Conserving and preserving threatened parks and wildlife by supporting initiatives surrounding the ecosystems and species that rely on national parks
Making sure national parks can keep up with increased growth and incorporate new technology in an accessible way
Telling the country’s store in a more comprehensive way, giving voices to communities that have often been excluded
The grant will support the Campaign for National Parks , a $1 billion fundraising effort started by the NPF to address the National Park Service’s most dire threats, including rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, visitor congestion, changing visitor demographics and aging infrastructure.
What is Lilly Endowment?
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a nonprofit that supports community development, education and religion.
N. Clay Robbins, chairman and CEO of Lilly Endowment, said in the news release that the organization’s founders supported research and educational programs, specifically those surrounding archaeology and the country’s cultural history.
“We are pleased therefore to further their interests through this grant,” Robbins said. “We believe the National Park Foundation’s campaign will enhance the programming in and promote the future vibrancy of our country’s marvelous system of parks, monuments, and historic sites.”
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com .
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