The donation will support the
Foundation's ambitious mission to protect and preserve national
parks
WASHINGTON, May 16, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Today, the National Park Foundation (NPF) announced
a generous $25 million gift from
Connie and Steve Ballmer,
co-founders of the Ballmer Group.
The gift is inspired by their love of and connection to national
parks, including Bryce Canyon, Zion, Death Valley and Channel
Islands National Parks, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation
Area, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The funds will support
priority initiatives to protect parks, connect people to these
great places, and help the Foundation accelerate the benefits to
parks all over the country.
"Philanthropy is accomplishing more for America's national parks
than ever before," said president and CEO Will Shafroth, National Park Foundation. "Thanks
to the leadership and tremendous generosity of Connie and Steve Ballmer, the National Park
Foundation will be able to invest their funds in places of greatest
need and leverage other public and private funds at a time when the
parks need our support."
The Ballmer's gift supports NPF's Campaign for National
Parks — the largest historic fundraising effort ensuring our
national parks receive the support they need. Through the campaign,
NPF will raise $1 billion by 2028,
with an additional $3.5 billion
raised collectively by over 450 park partner organizations
throughout the country.
NPF will leverage this transformative commitment by the Ballmer
family to support a variety of programs, such as Open OutDoors for
Kids, which connects kids to the parks, and Service Corps that
provides young adults with jobs in parks to build trails and
restore wetlands, as well as help our parks adapt to a changing
climate at places like Mount Rainier
National Park and Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore.
In collaboration with its park partners, NPF is focused on
raising awareness of the need and opportunities for private
philanthropy to support national parks. For over a century,
philanthropy has played an integral role in developing, expanding,
and preserving our national parks. It is through the support of
individuals, corporations, and foundations that we can continue
this work.
To learn more about the National Park Foundation's mission and
impact, visit NationalParks.org.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park
Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve
history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people
everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with
the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the
generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be
possible. Learn more at www.nationalparks.org.
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SOURCE National Park Foundation