OTHER GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

While membership support is the backbone of the Museum, critical direct public support also comes from a variety of other sources.

• Sponsorships from businesses and corporations support Museum educational programs, exhibits and special events. Businesses and corporations interested in supporting the Museum's mission have been very generous in donating financial as well as in-kind gifts.
• Grants from foundations and governmental agencies help fund a wide range of Museum needs. Similar to sponsorships, grants provide support for exhibits and our educational programs. They also help fund the care of the Museum's collection of culturally significant objects, general operating expenses and capital and construction projects.
• Donations, bequests and planned gifts from individuals come to the Museum as either restricted or non-restricted contributions. Gifts of cash, securities, real estate, tangible personal property, life insurance policies naming the Museum as beneficiary, and charitable remainder trusts, are extremely valuable in ensuring the long term fiscal stability that will enable the Museum to carry out its mission of preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the Napa Valley. Non-restricted gifts come with no strings attached and are used to meet current Museum needs as determined by the board of trustees. Restricted gifts are designated by the donor to be used for any number of specific purposes, including but not limited to the following:
  

1. The Museum's newly established endowment fund which provides perpetual support for the Museum. An enhanced endowment fund is vital for the success of the operation. Only the generated interest is used for the Museum's daily activities, programs and events. The principal of the endowment fund will remain and continue to provide funds for the future.
2. The Museum's building fund provides support for our next phase of growth. This fund will help enable the Museum to further its mission of preserving the cultural and natural heritage of the Napa Valley with an expanded facility specifically designed to meet the current and long term needs of the community.
3. A key function of the Museum is to interpret the community's heritage through exciting, engaging and educational exhibits. The enthusiasm that exhibits generate builds membership growth and bring the Museum to the forefront of the community. The often rotating exhibits focus on Napa Valley's cultural, agricultural and natural history and the arts. In order to offset expenses associated with these exhibits, individuals often underwrite specific exhibitions.
4. The Museum's educational program serves as a resource for the entire community. An active outreach program enables "trunk" docents to bring Museum programs into the community and local schools. Gallery docents lead groups of students, seniors, locals and visitors through the Museum's ever-changing exhibition galleries. These Museum docents ensure that our guests will have an informative, educational and entertaining Museum experience. Lectures, demonstrations, workshops and other special programs enhance the Museum's exhibitions. Individual sponsors often support these educational programs which appeal to a wide range of visitors and residents.
5. One of the most pressing responsibilities the Museum has is the preservation and conservation of its collections. From brittle paper documents to expensive oil paintings and elaborate textiles, each object requires special consideration. Preservation and conservation of these objects is an expensive and time-consuming task. A designated gift to this area will ensure that the artifacts will be well cared for.
6. Acquisition of objects for the Museum's collection allows us to fulfill our mission of preserving Napa Valley's heritage for future generations. Strengthening the Museum's collection requires ongoing acquisition of significant and important artifacts. Individuals who wish to personalize their support of the Museum may provide funds for the purchase of important objects to be added to our permanent collection.

For further information on how you can make a significant gift, contact the Napa Valley Museum office at 707.944.0500. Unless otherwise requested, the names of all major donors will be prominently displayed in the Museum's main gallery.