Philanthropy in the National Park Service

Private philanthropy has long played an important role in the development of America’s national park system. Charitable donations by the Rockefeller family, notably by Laurance S. Rockefeller, helped establish, enlarge, or improve national parks across the United States. From Maine to Hawaii and Alaska to the Virgin Islands, more than two dozen national park sites, including Acadia, Great Smokies, Grand Teton, and Yosemite, benefited from his generosity and conservation ethic. The Mellon family also contributed significantly, as did Walter and Leonore Annenberg at sites nationwide. Philanthropy continues to help ensure that national treasures are protected for future generations. The National Park Foundation, National Park Trust, and Trust for Public Land are among the organizations that secure land for the continued protection and preservation of national parks. Other nonprofit organizations, corporations, and private citizens also act individually and collectively in cooperative preservation partnerships. Advocacy groups such as Friends of Virgin Islands National Park play a vital role in supporting park units in advancing the mission of the National Park Service. Equally important is the generosity of volunteers, who are the spirit of many philanthropic groups and unselfishly give their time and individual expertise in support of the National Park Service.