Philanthropist pledges $2m to U.S. Arab museum
The individual gift is five times larger than any other the museum has received, say representatives
A philanthropist and longtime supporter of Arab causes has pledged $2 million to the Arab American National Museum in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, the the largest ever individual donation the museum has ever received.
Museum parent organization ACCESS announced the gift on Tuesday from Russell Ebeid. The retired president of Auburn Hills-based Guardian Industries' Glass Group plans to leave the money in his will as an endowment for the museum's community archives.
ACCESS officials say the individual gift is five times larger than any other it has received and boosts a collection designed to showcase the contributions of Arabs to the unfolding American story.
“This is a tipping point in the way we engage our individual donors,” says ACCESS Deputy Executive Director and CFO Maha Freij, according to a released statement. “This contribution is five times larger than any other individual gift we’ve ever received.”
Ebeid says he supports “creating a loud and proud historical heritage” and hopes it inspires others to join him.
“I have decided to make his endowment because I believe in our community,” Ebeid said at the dinner, according to a news release.
“I believe in supporting our institutions and creating a loud and proud historical heritage for our children, grandchildren and the public for generations to come. I trust that this legacy contribution in my will can promote and enhance the museum’s prestige, as well as honor our admirable predecessors.”
(With the Associated Press)
