Quick Facts About the Memorial
1. Why build a Memorial to Dr. King?
More than a monument to a great humanitarian, the National Memorial honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be a place for visitors from all over the world to be energized by its extraordinary power; the power that illuminated the faith of our founders and now impels us toward our destiny as a nation; the power flowing from the uniquely American spirit of brotherly love, freedom, justice, and the priceless blessing they endure...peace.
2. Why build the Memorial now?
Dr. King once reminded the nation of “the fierce urgency of now” while warning against “the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.” The time is now a historical perspective. Many young people have heard of Dr. King, but are unaware of the significance of his contributions to America and the world. The design has been established; the site is secured; the fundraising teams are already at work; and more than $106 million of the campaign goal has been raised. The time is now.
3. What will the Memorial look like?
The Memorial is conceived as an engaging landscape experience to convey four fundamental and recurring themes throughout Dr. King’s life – democracy, justice, hope, and love. Natural elements such as the crescent-shaped-stone wall inscribed with excerpts of his sermons, and public addresses will serve as the living testaments of his vision of America. The centerpiece of the Memorial, the “Stone of Hope”, will feature a 30-foot likeness of Dr. King.
4. When will the Memorial be completed?
The Ceremonial Groundbreaking occurred on November 13, 2006. The start of construction is contingent upon raising $120 million. The Dedication of the Memorial is tentatively scheduled for 2011.
5. How much will the Memorial cost?
It is estimated that the total cost of the project will be $120 million. Of that amount, more than $106 million has been raised.
6. To date, who have been your major contributors?
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General Motors
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$10,000,000
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Federal Appropriation
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9,852,876
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Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation
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5,000,000
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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
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3,485,208
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Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
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3,000,000
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W.K. Kellogg Foundation
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3,000,000
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NBA
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3,000,000
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The Walt Disney Company
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2,750,000
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In-Kind (Promotions and Marketing)
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2,300,000
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Coca-Cola Foundation
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2,000,000
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The Ford Motor Fund
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2,000,000
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MetLife Foundation
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2,000,000
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Toyota
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2,000,000
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Verizon Foundation
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2,000,000
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Travelers
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1,250,000
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Credit Unions of the United States
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1,200,000
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GE
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1,200,000
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AFSCME
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1,061,979
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AARP
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1,000,000
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AFLAC
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1,000,000
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The Boeing Company
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1,000,000
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BP America, Inc.
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1,000,000
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CIGNA
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1,000,000
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Cummins
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1,000,000
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DuPont
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1,000,000
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Exelon Foundation
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1,000,000
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ExxonMobil Foundation
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1,000,000
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Fannie Mae Corporation
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1,000,000
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FedEx Corporation
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1,000,000
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Ann and Joel Horowitz Family Foundation
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1,000,000
|
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Sheila C. Johnson-Newman
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1,000,000
|
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John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
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1,000,000
|
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Lehman Brothers
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1,000,000
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George Lucas
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1,000,000
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MacFarlane Partners
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1,000,000
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The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation
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1,000,000
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McDonald’s Corporation
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1,000,000
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National Association of Realtors (NAR)
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1,000,000
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National Education Association (NEA)
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1,000,000
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Nationwide Foundation
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1,000,000
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PepsiCo Foundation
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1,000,000
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Pew Charitable Trusts
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1,000,000
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Pfizer Foundation
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1,000,000
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Prudential Financial, Inc.
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1,000,000
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Shell Oil Company
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1,000,000
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State Farm Insurance
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1,000,000
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UnitedHealth Group
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1,000,000
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Viacom; BET; MTV
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1,000,000
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Wal-Mart
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1,000,000
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Procter & Gamble
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800,000
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Sony Pictures Entertainment
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650,000
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AT&T
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600,000
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Honda
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500,000
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Morehouse College
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500,000
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State of Maryland
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500,000
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Delta Air Line Foundation
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454,200
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American Federation of Teachers
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300,000
|
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Macy’s, Inc.
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300,000
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Marathon Oil
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300,000
|
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Bank of America Charitable Foundation
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250,000
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Chevy Chase Bank
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250,000
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Continental Airlines
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250,000
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CVS Caremark Charitable Trust
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250,000
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Southern Company
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250,000
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Windsor Village Methodist Church
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200,000
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Government of the District of Columbia
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150,000
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Xerox
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150,000
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
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137,000
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Emerson
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125,000
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Trehan Foundation
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125,000
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
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120,000
|
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Illinois Tool Works
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110,000
|
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Geico Philanthropic Foundation & Associates
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103,432
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Trinity United Church of Christ
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102,142
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AETNA
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100,000
|
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And 1 Basketball
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100,000
|
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Bloomberg
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100,000
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Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
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100,000
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Circuit City Foundation
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100,000
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John Deere and Company
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100,000
|
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Dyer Family Foundation
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100,000
|
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Fannie Mae Foundation
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100,000
|
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General Mills
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100,000
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Merrill Lynch
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100,000
|
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Charles Miller Memorial Foundation
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100,000
|
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Motorola
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100,000
|
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Northrop Grumman
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100,000
|
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Parsons Family Foundation
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100,000
|
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Deborah and Carlos Santana
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100,000
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The Embassy of South Africa
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100,000
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Grassroots Initiative
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2,602,964
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Other Contributions:
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7,083,318
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(Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority; Combined Federal Campaign (CFC); Jack and Jill of America Inc.; National Endowment for the Arts; Ed Brooke; Roger Sant; Kraft; Safeway; Shaner Hotel; Steelcase; Eugene Myers Foundation; Burton D. Morgan Foundation; John Stroud Foundation; United Methodist Church; Hartford Memorial Baptist Church; Friendship West Baptist Church; St. Luke Community United Methodist Church; Brentwood Baptist Church; Wheeler Avenue Church; Northwest Community Baptist Church; Association of the United States Army, Individual Gifts and 2 Anonymous Donors)
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Total Contributions as of 9/30/2009
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$106,863,119
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7. What can I do to help?
Individuals as well as corporations can add their financial support to this effort. Contributions, large and small, are needed to attain our goal of $120 million. Spread the word to your friends, neighbors and acquaintances that their donations are urgently needed.
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