Continued philanthropic efforts illustrate commitment to historic preservation and restoration
American Express Awards Ellis Island Grant
American Express announced a $100,000 grant to the National Trust for Historic Preservation to support Save Ellis Island, Inc., the non-profit partner of the National Park Service. The grant will allow the National Trust to help Save Ellis Island launch the next phase of an ongoing project aimed toward rehabilitating and re-opening the 29 unrestored buildings on Ellis Island. This effort includes the expansion of Save Ellis Island’s Board of Directors and organizational infrastructure to meet the challenges of the project.
A Legacy of Philanthropy in Preservation
With a long history of philanthropy, American Express is deeply committed to historic preservation, as evidenced by its recent expansion to the Partners in Preservation programs that, in partnership with the National Trust, will contribute $10 million to support preservation projects in five cities over the next five years. American Express has provided more than $5 million in grants to historic sites across the U.S. over the past five years through Partners in Preservation, and has also supported the restoration of iconic international sites including St Paul’s Cathedral, London, England; Mexico City’s Historic Center, Mexico; Delhi Heritage City, India; Route 66, the historic corridor that runs between Chicago and Los Angeles in the United States and Easter Island, Chile.
“Preserving iconic historic landmarks like Ellis Island is critical to enabling future generations to understand and appreciate their past,” said Timothy J. McClimon, president, American Express Foundation. “Our company has been headquartered in lower Manhattan for the past 160 years – in addition to its critical role in the history of the US, Ellis Island is quite literally in our own backyard.”
Collaboration Vital for Ellis Island's Future
“Our corporate partners are critical to the ongoing rehabilitation of Ellis Island, and we are thrilled to partner with great organizations such as American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation to move our project forward,” said Clement Alexander Price, board chair of Save Ellis Island, Inc. “Ellis Island has such a rich, deeply rooted history, and our ability to share this history in a more meaningful way through the restoration of these buildings will enable people from around the world an expanded opportunity to experience Ellis Island.” This grant from American Express is part of Save Ellis Island’s ongoing fundraising efforts to complete the restoration of all the buildings on Ellis Island. Within the past year, the Department of the Interior, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, dedicated significant funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to stabilize both the island’s seawall and the last of the un-restored buildings, projects that are key to maintaining the island’s integrity. The National Trust has also played a significant role in helping Save Ellis Island raise funds for the Ferry Building restoration in 2007.
About the Organizations Involved
About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, twitter.com/americanexpress and youtube.com/americanexpress.
Save Ellis Island, Inc.: Mission and Impact
About Save Ellis Island, Inc.
Established in 1999, Save Ellis Island is the National Park Service fundraising and programmatic non-profit partner for the rehabilitation of the twenty-nine remaining buildings on Ellis Island, with the mission and mandate to raise the funds necessary to create and sustain, within these buildings, the Ellis Island Institute.
The National Trust's Preservation Efforts
About the National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, eight regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories.
