Glacier fund receives $500,000

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation announced Monday that it has provided a $500,000 gift, to be paid over five years, to the Glacier National Park Fund.

It's the largest donation in the fund's history.

The donation is intended to help the fund prepare for the park's centennial celebration in 2010 and a fundraising campaign that will be launched that year.

"We are ecstatic about this wonderful gift," said Jane Ratzlaff, the fund's executive director.

"It will allow us to position the park and the fund for a memorable centennial celebration with key exhibits that will tour the state, special education programs, a spectacular special event and a campaign that will launch the next generation of philanthropy for the park."

The relationship between the railroad and the park stretches back to Glacier's beginnings with development of the chalets and hotels by the Great Northern Railway.

"We have a long-standing partnership with Glacier National Park and are proud to be a key contributor in the park's centennial celebration activities," said Rich Russack, president of the foundation.