The National Park Foundation received a historic $100 million donation from Lilly Endowment Inc., marking the largest single gift ever for U.S. national parks. Currently, the National Park Foundation is amid taking donations for its “Campaign for National Parks,” aiming to raise $1 billion for park preservation efforts.
“From majestic mountains to vibrant coral reefs to the Lincoln Memorial, national parks embody a tapestry of breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and rich cultural heritage,” the National Park Foundation said in a statement. “But these cherished places are facing a growing number of challenges, threatening what they have offered visitors for more than a century.”
The president and CEO of the National Park Foundation says this $100 million gift will significantly bolster their efforts to preserve America’s parks.
According to a news release, the gift will go toward inspiring the next generation of park stewards, conserving and preserving threatened parks and wildlife, ensuring a world-class visitor experience, and telling a more complete story of America.
The National Park Service had a $3.3 billion budget in the 2024 fiscal year.
The CEO emphasized that this grant would allow the foundation to strengthen efforts to ensure national parks are accessible for everyone, for generations to come, by promising to enhance programming and ensure the long-term viability of the nation’s parks, monuments and historic sites.
