Shafroth mentioned that the first round of grants from this substantial donation will be announced later this year.

The U.S. national park system encompasses a diverse range of sites, including iconic parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite, as well as memorials and historic locations.

The National Park Foundation has received a historic $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., marking the largest donation in its history to support U.S. national parks.

This transformative funding aims to address the needs of over 400 national park sites across the United States.

N. Clay Robbins, chair and CEO of Lilly Endowment, expressed confidence that this grant will enhance programming and promote the vibrancy of the national park system.

Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, stated that key priorities for the funding include restoring coral reefs at Biscayne National Park in Florida and trout species in western national parks.

The grant is also intended to protect fragile ecosystems and create opportunities for young people to visit national parks, ensuring accessibility for future generations.

The National Park Foundation is currently running a $1 billion fundraising campaign called the 'Campaign for National Parks' to support these initiatives.

This significant donation was announced on a Monday and comes from Lilly Endowment Inc., based in Indianapolis.