The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the recipient of a $1 million donation from the Wilf Family Foundations led by Vikings Owners Zygi, Mark and Lenny Wilf, the Hall announced Tuesday.
The generous gift supports the Pro Football Hall of Fame's programming built around its important mission: "To honor the heroes of the game, preserve its history, promote its values and celebrate excellence everywhere."
The funding will also allow for the creation of a special "Founders Exhibit" at the Hall of Fame, located in Canton, Ohio. The exhibit will shine a light on the role of many founders and owners of National Football League franchises and highlight the impact these men and women have had on the growth of the league and the effect on communities across the country.
The exhibit will cover the complete history from the start of the NFL nearly a century ago through today and will include a special component for "Women of the NFL." It is slated to open in conjunction with the NFL's Centennial Celebration in 2020.
"The Pro Football Hall of Fame deeply appreciates the generosity of the Wilf Family. Zygi Wilf, Mark Wilf and Lenny Wilf are great ambassadors for this game and the impact it has on millions of fans across the country and the world," Hall of Fame President & CEO David Baker said. "Thanks to the support from the Wilf Family Foundations, the Hall of Fame will be able to enhance our programming that inspires generations of fans by focusing on values such as commitment, integrity, courage, respect and excellence."
"We have such a strong appreciation for what the NFL has meant, and continues to mean, to our family and to so many people around the world," said Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf. "While football is the ultimate team sport, it also has a unique ability to bring communities together and teach lessons applicable to everyday life. We want to honor those who helped make the game what it is today and further commemorate the NFL's first 100 years."
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the only major sports museum, and among a mere three percent of all museums in the United States, to earn accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). It is the highest national recognition afforded the nation's museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies and to the museum-going public. Alliance accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement.
About the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Located in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the National Football League, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. AAM accreditation is national recognition for the museum's commitment to excellence and the highest professional standards of museum operation and public service.
Hundreds of thousands of fans from across the globe travel to Canton annually to experience [the Hall] that chronicles America's most popular sport. The Pro Football Hall of Fame, also voted Top Tourist Attraction in Ohio, was named the Best Attraction for Sports Fans in the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers' Choice travel award contest.
Construction on Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village, an $889 million development project that includes 10 main components, is underway in Canton to transform the Hall of Fame's campus.
