ENDOWMENT:

In order to ensure that The National WWII Museum can fulfill its mission to celebrate the American Spirit and to pass on the ideals of teamwork, courage, optimism and sacrifice that fueled the Allied victory to future generations, a strong foundation is needed. One way that our supporters can help us to continue to educate and inform visitors about the experience of Americans during the World War II years is to give generously to the Museum’s endowment.

The endowment of The National WWII Museum was established in order for the institution to meet current goals and to ensure that the resources would be available to meet the future needs of our expanding exhibits, infrastructure and staff. Your support for our capital campaign demonstrates quite clearly that you believe in our mission. The exhibits and facilities that your donation enables us to build will serve our museum for many years to come and will be a lasting legacy for you and your family. But these facilities require long-term and sustained support.

We now ask you to consider making an investment that will enable The National WWII Museum to tell the many stories of World War II to future Americans. You can direct all or part of your campaign gift to an endowed fund. The Board of Trustees suggests that 20% of your capital campaign gift be allocated to the Museum’s unrestricted endowment fund, the income from which will be used for many needs, such as maintenance and ongoing operations.

You may want to provide additional support that is earmarked for the Museum’s general endowment fund or for an endowment that funds a particular purpose, program, or initiative. If you are interested in giving to a restricted endowed fund, either currently or in your estate plans, please contact our Capital Campaign Staff at the link and number below so that we can make certain that it can be incorporated into the Museum’s mission. Some examples of endowments include a distinguished lecture series, restoration and acquisition of collections, Director of Education endowed fund, or an endowed fund to support the digitization of artifacts and veteran interviews.

An endowment is a bedrock of security and power for any charitable organization. Our future funding and revenues are difficult to forecast. Endowment, through the income it produces, can be used to fund important programs and enable the Museum to move forward through difficult financial times or an unexpected fiscal crisis. With an endowment, the Museum can implement new programs or initiatives, or acquire important artifacts or equipment, without having to rely solely on the “ad hoc” generosity of our donors. Most importantly, a strong endowment shows the community and our supporters that The National WWII Museum is a financially mature and stable institution that will be an integral part of the way the United States honors the men and women who saved the world for many years to come.

Find out more about how you can build a solid future for the Museum. Contact Trish Eubanks at trish.eubanks@nationalww2museum.org or 504-274-1329 for more information.