Friends of the High Line was founded in 1999 by two neighborhood residents, Joshua David and Robert Hammond. The 501 (c) (3) non-profit advocated for the High Line's preservation when the structure was under threat of demolition. Friends of the High Line successfully worked with the mayoral administration of Michael Bloomberg and the New York City Council to reverse a demolition favoring one to ensure the High Line's preservation through the federal Friends Corner Rail banking program. Friends of the High Line is also currently working to raise the essential private funding to help complete the High Line's construction and create an endowment for its future operations.