Key facts
- The 9/11 Memorial and Museum launched a $75 million fundraising campaign.
- Bloomberg Philanthropies will match the next $25 million in donations.
- The campaign aims to educate U.S. youth about the 9/11 attacks.
- Funds will ensure continued free museum access for students, first responders, and veterans.
- The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is approaching.
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum has initiated a $75 million fundraising campaign, with a significant boost from Mike Bloomberg, who has pledged to match the next $25 million in donations through Bloomberg Philanthropies. This effort is timed ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, aiming to educate the approximately 100 million Americans born after the events. The museum, which has seen nearly 97 million visitors and 28 million attendees since opening in 2014, faces ongoing funding needs. Beth Hillman, the organization's president and CEO, emphasized the importance of providing factual information and inspiring stories of service and resilience to younger generations who have no direct memory of the attacks. The funds will also ensure continued free access for students, first responders, and veterans, as standard adult admission costs $36. The campaign seeks to develop new exhibits and classroom materials to reach educators who may also lack personal experience of 9/11. The initiative also aims to address the contested legacy of the attacks by focusing on themes of unity, service, and hope. Alex Edgar, a Gen Z civic leader, noted the value of emphasizing service and shared goals as an antidote to political polarization among young people.