National September 11 Memorial And Museum At The World Trade Center

Programs: The events of september 11, 2001 and february 26, 1993 had an extensive and unprecedented physical, economic and emotional effect on the citizens of the city of new york, the country and the world. To recognize the historical significance of these events, to strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance, to fortify our country against a recurrence of these devastating events, and to achieve its charitable goals, the organization will operate the memorial, which opened to the public on september 11, 2011 (the "memorial"), and the museum, which opened to the public on may 21, 2014 (the "museum"). Located at the site of the world trade center, the 9/11 memorial and museum honors and remembers the innocent men, women, and children murdered by terrorists in the horrific attacks of september 11, 2001 and february 26, 1993, recognizes the endurance of those who survived, the courage of those who risked their lives to save others, and the compassion of all who supported the residents of new york city and the larger american community in our darkest hours. Demonstrating the consequences of terrorism on individual lives and its impact on communities at the local, national and international level, the museum attests to the triumph of human dignity over human depravity and affirms an unwavering commitment to the fundamental value of human life. The organization will be the successor to the national september 11 memorial and museum at the world trade center foundation, inc. (f/k/a the world trade center memorial foundation, inc. And d/b/a the 9/11 memorial) (the "foundation"). The foundation was incorporated in april 2003 pursuant to the new york not-for-profit corporation law ("nfpcl") to, among other things, own, construct and maintain the memorial and museum. The foundation is a recognized public charity and tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986, as amended ("section 501(c)(3)"). The foundation currently operates the memorial and the museum, which involves the collection and preservation of documents, and the exhibition, interpretation and making available as a public learning resource the material evidence, primary testimony and expanding historical record of response related to these events. These include artifacts, film footage and videos, photographs, oral histories, and digital records. The foundation's collections have value for commemoration, education, display, publication and scholarship. The permanent collection functions as an extensive reservoir of historical facts, trustworthy content and cumulative insight that will deepen over time, with uses beyond physical exhibition. The foundation also aims to establish the museum as the authoritative source on topics related to 9/11, increase public understanding of current events through the lens of 9/11 and its precursors, deepen knowledge about 9/11, what led up to it, and the post-9/11 world, and serve as a catalyst for global exchange on topics related to terrorism through its educational activities in the following program areas: interpretive; school, youth and family; public; and scholarly. The foundation is also committed to working collaboratively with other institutions and agencies toward the goal of expanding its shared understanding of these watershed events and their continuing legacies. Once the foundation is merged into the organization, all these activities and plans will be held and continued by the organization. The museum incorporates multi-layered perspectives and individual stories of victims, survivors, responders, area residents and witnesses, conveyed through exhibits and other narrative mechanisms grounded in primary sources and authentic artifacts. Sources include, but are not limited to, salvaged remnants of the buildings, physical objects, oral histories, artwork, architectural elements, film, video and audio footage, photographs, posters, handbills, memorabilia, signage and personal effects. The foundation currently owns the copyright to photographs, films, oral histories, and exhibition content in the museum that is created by its staff or consultants under work-made-for-hire agreements. In certain circumstances, the foundation has received as donations or purchased the copyrights, or licensed the rights, to photographs, films, or other digital media in the museum's collection. The foundation may grant limited licenses to third parties to use its content, such as to reproduce a photograph within a newly created film, for fees as determined on a scale similar to that of comparable museums and libraries. All of these assets and properties will be transferred to the organization in the merger. The organization will succeed to the fundraising program developed by the foundation to raise funds for purposes of operating the memorial and museum. Currently, the foundation's multi-faceted campaign has several components designed to attract donations. These include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) leadership gifts from corporations, individuals and foundations; (ii) a museum membership campaign; (iii) a cobblestone campaign in which individuals or organizations can sponsor a cobblestone or paver which make up the pathways of the memorial plaza; (iv) direct mail and email campaigns to the general public; (v) annual special events including a benefit dinner and 5k run/walk funded by corporate sponsorships and individuals; (vi) grants from corporations and foundations that fund educational programs and other initiatives; and (vii) government grants.