FAQ :
»What is the 911 Campaign?
»Why raise money for the Memorial when it hasn’t been designed?
»How much are you asking individuals to give?
»What will the money be used for?
»Who will decide where it’s spent?
»How much are you trying to raise?
»Where are the funds held?
»Can I designate my donation for a specific project?
»Will September’s Mission deduct overhead and administrative expenses from my donation?
»What happens to the interest earned on the fund?
»Why is September’s Mission doing this and not a government organization like the city, state or federal government?
»Didn't the Bush Administration pledge around $2 billion to help rebuild Lower Manhattan?
»Will any of the funds be used to support memorial development or programs at the Pentagon in Washington, DC or in Shanksville, Pennsylvania?
»Did September’s Mission establish this fund to try and influence the memorial design or decisions related to the site?
»How else can I get involved besides sending a donation?
»How can I keep up with the progress of the 911 Campaign?
»Will I receive anything or be recognized in any way for my contribution?

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What is the 911 Campaign?
Launched by September’s Mission, the 9/11 Campaign is a grassroots fundraising effort by victim’s families dedicated to the future memorial at the World Trade Center site that will honor and remember those lost in the terrorist attacks on February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001.
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Why raise money for the Memorial when it hasn’t been designed?
Almost every major memorial in this country is paid for and maintained with private funds. The costs of building and maintaining memorials, providing staff, and conducting educational programming and outreach are substantial. Even with state or federal funding, major memorials and museums around the country rely on substantial supplemental private funding to maintain quality operations.

While we don’t yet know what form the memorial will take, we do know that like other world-class memorials, its future success and sustainability will largely depend on the heartfelt generosity of individual Americans and our international friends. Your support will ensure that funding is available for the memorial now and in the future when and where it is needed most.
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How much are you asking individuals to give?
The 911 Campaign is structured to encourage broad-based participation from people of all backgrounds and ages. Whether it’s a kindergarten class that collects $9.11 in pennies, an individual who gives the same, or at whatever level meets their comfort range, we are asking people to make a remembrance donation in a denomination that somehow includes the numbers 9 and 11. (Examples: $9.11, $29.11, $90.11, etc)
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What will the money be used for?
The 911 Campaign fund will support the memorial’s development, operations, educational programming and provide for its future sustainability through the establishment of an endowment fund.

Memorial components will include key features such as the actual memorial as well as a museum, associated educational or interpretative facilities, exhibits and directly related indoor/outdoor facilities or elements.

Operational expenses will include staffing, maintenance and other expenses essential to the day to day functions of the memorial.

Educational programming for children and adults; research; outreach; and exchange will also be supported through this fund.

The endowment will provide stabile funding from year to year to support these efforts.
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Who will decide where it’s spent?
September’s Mission will work in cooperation with officially designated city, state, federal and private agencies to determine the most appropriate use(s) for funds. We will establish a diverse, inclusive, volunteer, and multi-disciplinary advisory board and committee structure with appropriate expertise to develop clear guidelines on acceptable uses, management, distribution policies and procedures for funds. Involvement of September 11th family members and survivors is essential. Until such time as the board is impaneled, guidelines are in place and available for review by the public at large, funds will be held in trust.
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How much are you trying to raise?
We don’t have a firm number yet, but it’s likely well in excess of $100 million. To put that in context, it took over $87 million to restore the Statue of Liberty in time for its centennial celebration in 1986. The price to build and sustain the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, DC to honor those lost on 911 has been set at $20 million. Funds raised through the 911 Campaign will not only go towards building the memorial in New York, but caring for it over the years, staffing, education and outreach.
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Where are the funds held?
The 911 Campaign Fund is held at Chase Manhattan Bank in it’s own trust account, separate from the September’s Mission operational account and other funds managed by the organization.
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Can I designate my donation for a specific project?
Not at this time. September’s Mission is only accepting unrestricted donations for the 911 campaign to allow funds to be applied when and where they are needed most. As the memorial develops definition, there may be opportunities in the future to designate donations for specific projects.
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Will September’s Mission deduct overhead and administrative expenses from my donation?
No. Every dollar donated to the 911 Campaign will be exclusively designated for memorial purposes; however, there are fees September’s Mission incurs on certain types of transactions.

For example, credit card companies charge a transaction fee for processing donations. Likewise, if securities are donated, there are corresponding brokerage fees. Fees like these when they are incurred will be deducted from donations. To avoid these fees, please make your donation by check.
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What happens to the interest earned on the fund?
Interest earned from the 911 Campaign Fund will support programs and operations of September’s Mission including those associated with administering the 911 Campaign Fund. Excess interest will be redirected back into the 911 Campaign Fund. To learn more about September’s Mission, please visit www.septembersmission.org.
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Why is September’s Mission doing this and not a government organization like the city, state or federal government?
One of the many governmental entities involved in the process may at some point create or designate another organization to raise private funds for the memorial. If that happens, we will work cooperatively with that organization to ensure 911 Campaign funds are available to help.

We believe that raising funds for this memorial is a very personal endeavor that the families and survivors need to lead. We will look toward the many governmental entities involved for encouragement, expertise, oversight and support. We are counting on family members and survivors to help shape and lead the effort.
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Didn't the Bush Administration pledge around $2 billion to help rebuild Lower Manhattan?
Yes, and some of that money is already being used to plan the memorial including funding design studies and competitions. But U.S. taxpayer’s investment in Lower Manhattan’s recovery will still need to be leveraged with private investment. Whether it’s commercial redevelopment, neighborhood revitalization, or the memorial, private funding is a necessary ingredient to success.
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Will any of the funds be used to support memorial development or programs at the Pentagon in Washington, DC or in Shanksville, Pennsylvania?
There are currently efforts underway in both Washington and Shanksville to develop memorials. These memorials are equally important and we encourage you to consider supporting them as well. To learn more about these efforts, please visit: http://memorial.pentagon.mil and www.flt93memorial.org.

Our intention with the 911 Campaign Fund is to be able to help tell the entire story of 911 and support outreach and exchange programs that would be inclusive of programs at the Pentagon memorial and in Shanksville through the educational portion of the fund.
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Did September’s Mission establish this fund to try and influence the memorial design or decisions related to the site?
Absolutely not; there are many stakeholders involved in what happens at the World Trade Center site and that includes the memorial. While there continues to be necessary public debate on the future memorial and redevelopment at the site, the 911 Campaign Fund exists to help support and implement the memorial program, mission and vision that is approved through official public processes.

To learn more about the memorial design and development process and how to get involved, please visit the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation’s website at www.renewnyc.com. The LMDC is the official agency charged with overseeing the memorial process.
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How else can I get involved besides sending a donation?
There are several ways you can help with the 911 Campaign. If you live in New York City, September’s Mission is always in need of volunteers to help with administrative work. If you are interested in serving on a committee or leading fundraising efforts in your community, we want to hear from you. Our intention is to build a grassroots network across America, and we need your help. For more information, please contact info@septembersmission.org.
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How can I keep up with the progress of the 911 Campaign?
You can keep up with the 911 Campaign by checking in from time to time on the September’s Mission website at www.septembersmission.org. Financial reports for the 911 campaign will also be available on a quarterly basis at the website.
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Will I receive anything or be recognized in any way for my contribution?
Donors who request a letter of acknowledgement or are entitled to one under IRS regulations will receive one. September’s Mission will also maintain a registry of donors on its website at www.septembersmission.org. But there are no flags, pins, memorabilia or other forms of recognition being provided as an incentive to make a donation. We believe that would cheapen the effort and that honor and recognition should be reserved for those described in the official memorial mission statement:
  • Remember and honor the thousands of innocent men, women, and children murdered by terrorists in the in the horrific attacks of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001.
  • Respect this place made sacred through tragic loss.
  • Recognize the endurance of those who survived, the courage of those who risked their lives to save others, and thee compassion of all who supported us in our darkest hours.
  • May the lives remembered, the deeds recognized, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons, which reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance.
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