Trust for the National Mall, Roles and Relationships

Description of the Trust for the National Mall, Roles and Relationships
Partner: The Trust for the National Mall is a private non-profit organization incorporated and doing business under the laws of the District of Columbia. The organization was formed in March 2002 to lead a campaign to raise funds for the restoration, revitalization, and maintenance of the National Mall, the boundaries of which are described on the map attached as Appendix A.

The purpose of the Trust is "to operate exclusively for charitable, educational, scientific, and literary purposes.... to restore, beautify, maintain and preserve the National Mall in Washington, D.C. as a gracious and welcoming urban outdoor space for citizens, residents and visitors, for ceremonial, patriotic and recreational activities..."

The current Trustees of the Trust for the National Mall include:
John E. Ackridge III, The John Ackridge Companies
Lanny Griffith, Barbor, Griffith & Rogers, Inc.
Richard Moe, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Selden Morales, Executive Director, Trust for the National Mall
Jane Saunders, Motion Picture Association of America

Georgina Sanger serves as staff to the Trustees.

The Trust expects to appoint a total of 8-12 trustees in six months. Some of these Trustees are expected to serve to "start-up" the organization.

Nature of Relationship: In early 2002 Lanny Griffith, John Ackridge III and Georgina Sanger met with NPS to discuss the idea of forming a partnership with NPS to raise funds to restore, revitalize and maintain the National Mall. During the discussions the Trust leaders provided NPS with a "The Trust for the National Mall Concept Paper". NPS reviewed the document and suggested that the two parties work together to explore the potential of a fundraising partnership. A series of meetings were held between NPS, the Trust, the Greater Washington National Parks Fund (GWNPF), and the National Park Foundation (NPF) to discuss mutual intent, goals, objectives, priority actions, fundraising, communication and coordination, evaluation and measurement of progress, and other details of a partnership.

As a result of the discussions the Trust, NPS, NPF, and the leaders of the GWNPF agreed that it was desirable to work closely and collaboratively to be better stewards and educators, with the understanding that the National Mall will benefit from our collective efforts. A General Agreement was developed by the partners and signed on May 1, 2003 for the purpose of creating a partnership to restore, revitalize, and maintain the National Mall in Washington, DC. A copy of the approved General Agreement is attached.

The General Agreement committed the partners to complete a Fundraising Agreement.