The National Park Foundation announced Monday that it had received a $100 million grant, the largest such transfer in its history.

The money comes from The Lilly Endowment Inc., a private philanthropic foundation founded by the family behind the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company.

The nonprofit National Park Foundation plans to use the money to protect and maintain the parks by preserving ecosystems, creating more opportunities for youth, highlighting the history of underrepresented communities and expanding its services as demand for national parks grows. Foundation officials say they will begin announcing grants paid out from the donation later this year.

The National Park Foundation will count the Lilly Endowment’s donation as part of its ongoing Campaign for National Parks, which aims to raise $1 billion for the park system. Separately, national park partners are working to raise $3.5 billion.

RELATED STORY | What are the most visited attractions in the US national parks?

The money could provide a significant boost to park budgets: the federal government’s budget for 2025 provides $3.09 billion for the operation and maintenance of the parks.

In 2022, nearly 312 million visitors spent $23.9 billion directly at America’s 405 national parks.