The National Park Foundation (NPF), the official nonprofit organization of the National Park Service, announced a $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. marking the largest grant benefitting national parks.

 

The money will be used to address the country's over 400 national park sites individual issues, said Will Shafroth, the president and CEO of the National Park Foundation.

The first round of grants funded by the donation is expected to be announced later this year. Some priorities include restoring coral reefs at Biscayne National Park in Florida, the restoration of trout species in western national parks, and opportunities for young people to visit national parks. The foundation is also planning to use the money to tell a more comprehensive version of U.S. history.
"For over 50 years, private philanthropy has played a vital role in bridging the gap between park needs and available funding," said Shafroth.