The Sue Ling Gin Foundation Trust, affiliated with airline catering company Flying Food Group (FFG), has made a generous donation of $20 million to the Field Museum of Chicago to honor the memory of Sue Gin, founder of FFG. The gift, announced during the museum's annual gala by David L. Cotton, CEO of FFG and a Museum Trustee, is intended to sustain the museum's educational programs and initiatives, which serve thousands of students in Chicago and beyond. 

According to a Field Museum press release, Field Museum President and CEO Julian Siggers expressed his gratitude, stating, "This extraordinary demonstration of generosity from the Sue Ling Gin Foundation Trust will ensure that every Chicago child experiences the thrill of discovery with the Field Museum. It is our distinct honor to recognize this investment by naming the Sue Ling Gin Center for Education and Public Programs."

The $20 million gift marks the beginning of a broader campaign to raise $40 million in new endowment for the museum's educational programs. This campaign aims to ensure the longevity of the programs and enhance field trips for students, according to Siggers.

In recognition of the Sue Ling Gin Foundation Trust's exceptional commitment and leadership, the Field Museum has awarded the Trust with the prestigious Marshall Field V Award for Distinguished Leadership. This award acknowledges Sue Ling Gin's remarkable two decades of service as a Museum Trustee and the Trust's substantial support of the museum's mission. 

“We are incredibly proud to support the Field Museum’s education department, which serves more than 400,000 students each year,” Cotton said at the gala on Saturday, Oct. 21. “The Field Museum was very special to Sue Ling Gin, and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to honor her this way.”

FFG was founded in 1983 by Sue Gin, who was known as a visionary entrepreneur and has emerged as a prominent figure in the airline catering industry. The company provides customized, high-quality meals and snacks to global airlines and upscale food retailers. What sets FFG apart is its commitment to community and philanthropy. According to the Flying Food Group, every dollar of profit earned by the company is reinvested in its operations and used to support various charitable initiatives through the Sue Ling Gin Charitable Foundation Trust.

The Trust has made notable contributions to organizations such as DePaul University, The Field Museum, Chicago Community Trust, Rush University College of Nursing, Rush University Health Clinics, Chinese American Service League, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, IFSA Foundation Scholarship Fund, and Midwest Food Matters Scholarship Fund, according to the Flying Food Group.