Message from the Chairman of the Board
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, like most other cultural institutions, faced extraordinary challenges in 2020 and had to adapt quickly to the global pandemic that has now killed more than two million people.
After the pandemic forced us to close in March, the abrupt elimination of revenue created a financial crisis. The Board of Trustees and I, with strong support from President and CEO Alice M. Greenwald, made extremely hard but necessary decisions to help ensure the future of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Operating expenses were cut by half. Programming was suspended or eliminated. And, hardest of all, staffing from top to bottom had to be reduced.
What never changed was our commitment to our mission, the members of the 9/11 community, and our supporters. And because of that commitment, in July we were able to reopen the 9/11 Memorial on Independence Day, a fitting occasion given it is a powerful tribute to those who were killed and to the character of our nation.
Two months later on September 11, we stood on the Memorial plaza with victims’ families for the 19th annual ceremony. We also opened the 9/11 Memorial Museum that day, allowing families to be the first to return.
These re-openings were possible thanks to our Trustees, who all contributed to an emergency fundraising campaign - and especially thanks to the generosity of the public. So many people gave what they could to support the Memorial & Museum, which was an inspiring affirmation of its enduring importance.
Communities all over America and the world remember the values that shined so brightly on 9/11, and that lifted our city up in the months that followed. A symbol of strength, resilience, and hope, the Memorial & Museum are a testament to what’s possible when people pull together and support one another - and that spirit will get us through these difficult and tragic times.
Thank you for helping us to honor those who were killed nearly 20 years ago, and for helping us send a message of hope and strength throughout the world.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Bloomberg