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More than $101 million has been raised for the WTC Memorial
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After six months of seeking private donations, the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation has raised more than $101 million to fund the World Trade Center Memorial, John C. Whitehead, the foundation's chairman, announced on October 20.
The monies raised came from private donors; foundations; corporations; and contributions from individuals, schools, and businesses from 38 states and seven countries. Some of the largest donations include $25 million from the Starr Foundation, $15 million from Deutsche Bank, and $10 million from the Bank of New York. At the press conference to announce this milestone, held in the Bank of New York, Memorial Foundation President and CEO Gretchen Dykstra also recognized a $325,000 contribution from the Avon Foundation. Avon's donation resulted from the sale of "Heart of America" pins by Avon sales representatives across the country in response to the events of 9/11.
The Memorial Foundation's goal is to raise $500 million to build the memorial, "Reflecting Absence," by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker, which is scheduled to open in 2009. Intended as a solemn space where visitors can remember and honor the thousands of lives lost on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, the memorial will feature three levels descending below ground and will provide access to the original foundation of the twin towers. Adjacent to the two voids that will reside in the footprints, the Memorial Museum, through its resource center, exhibitions, and educational programs, hopes to tell the individual stories of the victims of the World Trade Center attacks and recall the contributions made around the world toward rescue, recovery, and relief efforts.
The Memorial Foundation will continue to solicit gifts from large corporations and individual donors while also seeking public donations. As part of this effort, a national direct mail campaign targeted to 150,000 homes will soon be launched, Dykstra said. In early November, an online chat function will become available on the foundation's website providing another venue through which to contribute. Photos from 9/11 donated by the Washington Post will also be made available for purchase on the website to support the fundraising efforts.
"We look forward to working with people across the country and around the world to build the memorial," Dykstra said. "We want to remind the public that they can help right now by making contributions through our website, www.buildthememorial.org."
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| Gov. Pataki signs the legislation to create check-off boxes on State income tax forms to help raise funds for the Memorial |
Individuals and businesses in New York will also now be able to contribute to the memorial by checking a box on their state tax forms thanks to legislation Gov. George Pataki signed at the press conference's conclusion. The bill was first announced in the State of the State Address in January, and it was passed unanimously by both the Senate and the Assembly. A donation to any of New York's special tax check-offs either reduces an individual's tax refund by the amount pledged or increases by that same amount what a taxpayer must remit to the state.
"By making a donation through an income tax check-off, we can renew our commitment to building a lasting memorial that all Americans can be proud of," Pataki said.
Since 1995, New Yorkers have donated nearly $17 million to special tax check-off funds, including the Return a Gift to Wildlife Fund, the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center Fund, the Breast Cancer Research and Education Funds, the Missing and Exploited Children Fund, the Gift for Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Fund, and the Prostate Cancer Research Fund.
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