Eastern National is a not-for-profit, 501(C)(3) cooperating association, supporting the National Park Service and several other partners. Cooperating Associations provide supplemental funding and services to the parks for acquisitions, special events, educational or interpretive programs, research grants, etc. America's National Parks is the educational branch of Eastern National, a non-profit organization that promotes the public’s understanding and support of America’s national parks and other public trust partners by providing quality educational experiences, products, and services to the visitors to America’s national parks and other public trusts. Currently, Eastern National is the cooperating association for over 150 national parks, and is partners with many other public trusts including the U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and state and city park systems. Eastern National’s role has expanded over the years, becoming the largest cooperating association in the United States. Since its incorporation in 1948, Eastern National has donated over $100 million to the National Park Service, in the form of direct donations and grants. Through the years, Eastern National funds have purchased such critical items as land, artifacts, media for park libraries, period costumes for living history demonstrations and reenactments, signage and exhibits, facility renovations and upgrades, interpretive tools and programs, staff training programs, and much more.