Honor the Past. Shape the Future.
Complete the
Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial
On September 11, 2001, people stood on the northeast shore of Liberty State Park, watched the Twin Towers fall, and gazed in disbelief at the cloud of dust that hung in the air for months.
Many of them were family. Many were first responders who crossed the Hudson River to help. Many were survivors that found refuge on this shore that served on 9/11 as a primary emergency triage center saving thousands of lives in the largest waterborne evacuation in human history.
Ten years later, New Jersey dedicated Empty Sky: New Jersey’s September 11th Memorial on these same hallowed grounds. The two-acre landscape cushioned by clusters of autumn-flowering cherry trees, is bisected by two stainless-steel walls—each 30 feet high and 208 feet 10 inches long, the exact width of one side of a tower. Together, they frame the open sky where the towers stood and symbolically restore the Twin Towers to the Lower Manhattan skyline on approach to the memorial. Etched on the memorial’s walls within reach are the names of New Jersey’s victims murdered on 9/11 at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, PA. Families come to touch those names, make rubbings, and place tributes in memory of loved ones.
But the Empty Sky Memorial was never finished.
Names are missing. At least 18 victims murdered on 9/11/2001 with strong New Jersey ties have not yet been added to the walls. Victims killed since September 11th, succumbing to 9/11 related illnesses, remain to be acknowledged at all.
The design was never completed. An area of quiet reflection anchoring the northern end of the sacred landscape was never executed, the outer faces of the walls were never clad in marine-grade stainless steel, and massive inscriptions that read “Never Forget” and “Always in Our Hearts” have not been mounted to the face of the memorial.
The memorial needs repair. More than 60 trees left in drought conditions died and were removed, lights honoring the victims’ names are broken having not been replaced with appropriate fixtures following Superstorm Sandy, directories to look up a name in disrepair, and urban accessories need to be restored.
The 9/11 Legacy Foundation has formed a Special Committee of 9/11 family members, survivors, and responders—including original members responsible to select the original design—to see the memorial restored, completed, and conserved for future generations.
Our goal is $10 million to complete Empty Sky holistically. Every gift to this campaign is restricted to the Empty Sky Memorial and accounted for separately from the 9/11 Legacy Foundation's other work.
The names on these walls belong to New Jersey. So does the promise to finish this memorial. Please give today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a donation of any size is tax deductible. The 9/11 Legacy Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, meaning that donations made to us may be tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by the law. We recommend consulting with a tax professional to determine the exact tax benefits based on your personal circumstances. After making your donation, you will receive a receipt for your records, which you can use when filing your taxes. If you have additional questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us at info@the911legacy.org.
[CONFIRM: does the Empty Sky Donorbox campaign allow monthly gifts?] Monthly gifts to this campaign stay restricted to the Empty Sky Memorial, just like one-time gifts. To set one up, use the Empty Sky donation form on this page, choose “Monthly,” then pick the amount and payment method that work for you. You can cancel at any time by contacting us at info@the911legacy.org.
Yes, you will receive a receipt for your donation. If you choose to contribute online, you will receive an email confirmation and receipt with the details of your gift, including the amount donated and our tax identification number. If you choose to contribute via check, you will receive a mailed confirmation and receipt with the details of your gift, including the amount donated and our tax identification number. Receipts can be used for tax purposes. If you need a copy of your receipt or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@the911legacy.org.
Every gift to this campaign is restricted to the Empty Sky Memorial and accounted for separately from the Foundation’s other work.
If you have any questions about how your donation is being used, please feel free to reach out to us at info@the911legacy.org.
Yes, you can dedicate your donation in honor or in memory of someone special. When you make a donation, simply click on the box that says “Dedicate my donation in honor or memory of someone.” A dropdown will appear. Follow the prompts and fill in the appropriate information. We will send a personalized acknowledgment to the honoree (or their family) to let them know of your thoughtful gift. Please note that the donation amount will not be disclosed in the message. If you have any questions or need assistance with making a dedicated donation, please contact us at info@the911legacy.org.
