U.S. national park system gets a $100M grant, the largest in its history
The National Park Foundation received a historic $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to enhance national parks, focusing on youth access, ecosystem conservation, and inclusive narratives for visitors.
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The National Park Foundation has announced a historic $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., marking the largest donation in its nearly 60-year history. This funding aims to enhance the U.S. national park system, which encompasses over 400 sites. Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, emphasized the importance of private philanthropy in addressing the funding gap for national parks. The grant will focus on four main priorities: increasing access for young people to visit parks, conserving threatened ecosystems and wildlife, presenting a more inclusive narrative of U.S. history, and improving visitor experiences for the 320 million annual park visitors. The Lilly Endowment, established in 1937 by the family behind Eli Lilly and Company, has a legacy of supporting natural beauty and cultural history initiatives. The National Park Service operates with a budget of $3.3 billion for the 2024 fiscal year, and this grant is expected to significantly bolster its efforts to maintain and enhance the national parks for future generations.
- The National Park Foundation received a $100 million grant, the largest in its history.
- The funding will support programs across more than 400 national park sites.
- Key priorities include youth access, ecosystem conservation, and inclusive historical narratives.
- The Lilly Endowment, founded by the Eli Lilly family, has a history of supporting natural and cultural initiatives.
- The National Park Service's budget for 2024 is $3.3 billion.
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