WASHINGTON, D.C. – In separate announcements, Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded a total of $150 million in grants to the National Park Foundation (NPF) and Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a variety of enhancements at Indiana State Parks.
NPF is to receive $100 million, according to reports, while Indiana State Parks’ grant will be $50 million.
National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation (NPF) called its gift “transformative” as it represents the largest ever received by NPF and the largest grant benefitting national parks — celebrates a pivotal moment in safeguarding the future of America’s treasured national parks.
From majestic mountains to vibrant coral reefs to the Lincoln Memorial, national parks embody a tapestry of breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and rich cultural heritage. But these cherished places are facing a growing number of challenges, threatening what they have offered visitors for more than a century.
Thanks to the generous support of Lilly Endowment, NPF can help meet these challenges.
“The National Park Foundation is inspired by, and incredibly grateful for, this extraordinary gift from Lilly Endowment,” said Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “For over 50 years, private philanthropy has played a vital role in bridging the gap between park needs and available funding. This grant will allow us to supercharge our efforts to ensure our national parks are for everyone, for generations to come.”
Lilly Endowment’s grant will serve as a catalyst to scale and accelerate NPF’s impact. Working together with the National Park Service and park partners, NPF will allocate the funds to four key priority areas:
- Inspire the Next Generation of Park Stewards: Creating opportunities for youth and young adults that will foster a deeper understanding of history, appreciation for environmental stewardship, and connection with our natural world.
- Conserve and Preserve Threatened Parks and Wildlife: Addressing critical initiatives that will ensure the health and longevity of the fragile ecosystems and diverse species that call our national parks home.
- Ensure a World-Class Visitor Experience: Securing a future where national parks can accommodate unprecedented growth and leverage new technology, while remaining accessible and awe-inspiring for all visitors.
- Tell a More Complete Story of America: Delivering a more comprehensive historical narrative, including the experiences of communities whose voices and contributions have not been fully told as a part of the American story.
“Our founders were inspired by the beauty and wonders of the natural world and supportive of research and educational programs about archaeology and the cultural history of our nation,” said N. Clay Robbins, chairman and CEO of Lilly Endowment. “We are pleased therefore to further their interests through this grant. We believe the National Park Foundation’s campaign will enhance the programming in and promote the future vibrancy of our country’s marvelous system of parks, monuments, and historic sites.”
The grant contributes to The Campaign for National Parks, NPF’s $1 billion fundraising campaign that will help address the urgent needs of America’s 430 national park sites. The Campaign for National Parks also galvanizes the efforts of park partners across the country whose collective goal is to raise $3.5 billion. Together, the campaign will generate more support for national parks than ever before to ensure they not only endure, but thrive, for the benefit of all who cherish them.
“The impact of this gift will be felt in our parks and in surrounding communities for generations to come,” added Chuck Sams, director of the National Park Service. “This is a truly visionary investment, and an example of how the power of philanthropy can amplify this crucial work that we all believe in so much.”
To learn more about the National Park Foundation’s mission and donate today, visit nationalparks.org.
Indiana State Parks
DNR will use the grant to make several improvements within Prophetstown State Park and to fund upgrades across the state parks system that will improve the experience for Hoosiers who visit these treasured places.
“Today’s incredible investment from Lilly Endowment marks a significant milestone in Indiana State Parks history,” said Dan Bortner, Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) director. “Our parks are places where everyone can come together to enjoy the outdoors, and where together we strive to preserve Indiana’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations. In a world of constant change, this investment helps us protect that cherished, shared heritage.”
DNR will invest $25 million of the grant in Prophetstown State Park, Indiana’s newest state park, which last month celebrated its 20th anniversary. The park, which offers guests a unique prairie landscape at the confluence of the Wabash and Tippecanoe rivers near Battle Ground, is a part of the Myaamia (Miami) homelands and was also used by other Indigenous people for thousands of years. It is the site of Prophets Town, where individuals from multiple tribes gathered with Shawnee leaders Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh from 1808 to 1811.
The investment will double the number of campsites in the park and build facilities that will foster greater understanding of the landscape and its rich Native American heritage.
“We are happy to see this investment in Indiana’s state parks,” said Scott Brewer, Chair of the Native American Indian Affairs Commission and a member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. “We particularly appreciate and look forward to strengthening the connections that help Hoosiers understand and appreciate Native American ties to the land at what is now Prophetstown State Park.”
Investments in Prophetstown State Park include:
- Campground development, $15 million – Development will include the addition of more than 120 new full-service campsites, doubling the size of the existing campground in order to meet high demand.
- Prophetstown Heritage Area, $8 million – The area will feature facilities such as a visitors center, outdoor exhibits, and a recreated Native American village. Developed in consultation with federally recognized tribes, these facilities will support the inclusion of Native American history and ways of life associated with the site, along with interpretation of the park’s natural resources.
- Trail development, $1 million – New trails will be developed to support greater accessibility for visitors to explore the natural and cultural features of the park.
- Aquatic center restoration and enhancement, $1 million – Upgrades to the pool and other water features will be made to enhance guest experiences.
DNR will use the remaining $25 million of the grant for projects across the state parks system. These projects include the following:
- Campground improvements, $10 million – More campsites will be upgraded to be full-service, with electricity, water, and sewer connections to better serve today’s campers.
- Playground replacements, $11 million – Playgrounds across Indiana State Parks will be renovated and repaired to address aging equipment and improve accessibility.
- Historic structure repairs, $3 million – Historic stone and log structures, retaining walls, and stone staircases that were built in the 1930s will receive masonry repairs and accessibility improvements.
- Motorized wheelchairs, $1 million – Motorized wheelchairs will enable individuals to access trails that might otherwise be inaccessible. Several state parks have these chairs, and some need to be replaced or repaired. Funding will place more motorized chairs across state parks.
DNR is providing an additional $10 million match to Lilly Endowment’s $50 million grant, which will be invested into Indiana State Parks’ continued deferred maintenance needs.
“Indiana’s state parks are enjoyed by millions of people each year, and the parks offer affordable recreational and educational opportunities for Hoosiers as well as thousands of visitors who come to Indiana to experience an impressive array of state parks,” said Ronni Kloth, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for community development. “We at Lilly Endowment are pleased to provide this funding to the Department of Natural Resources to help further develop and better tell the history of Prophetstown and enhance parks throughout the state for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.”
This investment continues robust recent investment into deferred maintenance across Indiana State Parks. In the last five years, the state has invested $100 million into maintenance of DNR properties, which includes upgrading rooms and cabins at the Abe Martin Lodge at Brown County State Park, as well as the complete renovation of the Spring Mill Inn and restoration of Spring Mill State Park’s namesake, its historic gristmill. With an additional $100 million investment, construction is also underway on the Lodge at Potato Creek State Park, which will be the first new Indiana State Park Inn built since 1939.
“We are honored to accept this gift from the Lilly Endowment,” said Terry Coleman, director of the Division of State Parks. “These funds will greatly enhance the facilities and services at our Indiana State Parks, along with the interpretation of the natural and cultural resources we conserve and manage. The result will be memorable experiences for all who visit in the future.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
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