Today, the National Park Foundation (NPF) announced that it received a $25 million gift from Connie and Steve Ballmer, co-founders of the Ballmer Group. The gift is reportedly “inspired by their love of and connection to national parks, including Bryce Canyon, Zion, Death Valley and Channel Islands National Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and 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 nationwide.”
“Philanthropy is accomplishing more for America’s national parks than ever before,” said President and CEO Will Shafroth of the 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 family gift supports NPF’s Campaign for National Parks — the “largest historic fundraising effort ensuring America’s national parks receive the support needed.” Through the campaign, NPF “will raise $1 billion by 2028, with an additional $3.5 billion collectively raised by over 450 park partner organizations nationwide.”
NPF said it “will leverage the $25 million gift from the Ballmers to support a variety of programs, including Open OutDoors for Kids and Service Corps., as well as help U.S. parks adapt to a changing climate at places like Mount Rainier National Park and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.”
Go here to learn more about the National Park Foundation’s mission and impact.
Image courtesy Channel Islands National Park
