WILMINGTON — To support the expansion of the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, The Endowment announced a multi-year, multi-million-dollar award.
READ MORE: State funding pushes aquarium closer to $30M expansion
A $7.5 million grant will help with the aquarium’s educational programs, provide visitors new hands-on learning opportunities and will help with the facility’s expansion, including indoor and outdoor areas.
The aquarium is planning a $56-million renovation, with the state legislature already provided some funding.
“This grant is a good example of the Endowment’s preference for late-stage funding of major capital projects, when we know the project will actually be built,” Endowment CEO Dan Winslow said. “This grant will also demonstrate how the Endowment’s investments can be magnified by participation of other funders.”
Funding from The Endowment will be paid out over three years. It aligns with The Endowment’s pillars in providing a financial boost for educational purposes and enhancing economic development.
The aquarium welcomes 500,000 guests annually, including 5,000 K-12 students from New Hanover County Schools. Its marine habitats, exhibits and interactive learning experiences showcase conservation for the greater Wilmington coastal community.
“The Endowment’s support will fund a more innovative and immersive on-site educational experience at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher,” Joanna Zazzali, director at NCAFF, said in a release. “Thousands of New Hanover County students each year will benefit from expanded indoor and outdoor educational opportunities that create a deeper connection to our aquatic environments and foster greater scientific understanding.”
Site plans and details of renovations are to be unveiled in summer 2025.
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