The National Park Foundation Raised $40 Million In Private Support To Establish, Design And Construct The Memorial

The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, announced today that the capital campaign in support of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania is complete. Its Flight 93 National Memorial Capital Campaign has raised more than $40 million to establish, design and build the national memorial honoring the 40 passengers and crew of United Flight 93 who fought back against their hijackers on September 11, 2001, preventing a second aerial attack on Washington, D.C.

"Like all of America's national parks, the Flight 93 National Memorial honors and preserves our country's rich history," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "As the charitable partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation has been proud to lead the private fundraising efforts to establish and build the Memorial, ensuring its place in American history. We thank and applaud the thousands of individuals and organizations that have helped us reach this profound moment. It is only through their support and generosity that the Foundation is able to protect, enrich and honor the Flight 93 National Memorial, and all of our country's more than 400 national parks."

Through its Flight 93 National Memorial Capital Campaign, the National Park Foundation has raised $40 million in private support from more than 110,000 individuals, foundations and corporations.  Funds have made possible the construction of the park's Memorial Plaza, Wall of Names, 40 Memorial Groves, the Field of Honor, and major reforestation of the landscape. Additional construction through 2015 will include a Visitor Center Complex consisting of a permanent artifact exhibition, Learning Center and Flight Path/Memorial Walls. 

"The generous contributions of so many individuals and business from around the world, along with the hard work and coordination of our friends at the National Park Foundation, ensure the long-term success of Flight 93 National Memorial," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "The National Park Service and our partner organizations will work together to preserve forever the memory of the 40 passengers and crew of United Flight 93 and inspire future generations with the story of the sacrifice."

While the National Park Foundation's capital campaign is complete, the Foundation has also helped to establish a local philanthropic organization, the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, which will continue to fundraise on behalf of the national memorial. The Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, like the hundreds of other local philanthropic park Friends Groups across the country, will provide support for the operational needs and programmatic opportunities of the memorial. Through a grant from the National Park Foundation, the Friends have hired full-time Executive Director, Norwood R. Dennis.

The Flight 93 National Memorial campaign is just one example of the National Park Foundation's extensive work in support of America's national parks and the National Park Service. The National Park Foundation will award $16M in support to the parks this year. Through grants to over 150 parks, the National Park Foundation will reach nearly 100,000 people in 2013, making an impact in the lives of youth and undeserved audiences. The Foundation is sending more than 30,000 students to national parks through its "Ticket to Ride" program; working with teachers in all 50 states to embrace national parks as classrooms and centers for active learning; and restoring and improving 250 miles of waterways and trails, connecting parks to communities and promoting healthy lifestyles through the "Active Trails" program.

(Artist's concept of Flight 93 memorial)

FMI: www.honorflight93.org, www.nationalparks.org