Museum director addresses funding issues

I was recently asked the question, “Where do you get your money, and how does the economy impact your operation?” Allow me to explain.

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science receives funds from public, private, and corporate supporters. Additionally, we generate revenue from admissions, educational program fees, the Museum Store,
memberships, and events. Our goal since 2002 is to have balanced funding from these sources – a “diversified portfolio.” 

Currently 85 percent of our funding comes from New Hanover County. That funding permits the museum to offer high-quality programming to visitors. The museum receives less than half of one percent of the total county budget. The average homeowner contributes less than $.50 per year to Cape Fear Museum via property taxes.

As a “thank you” to county residents for supporting the museum, we offer the first Sunday of every month as a free admission day. Also, every New Hanover County Schools fourth grader participates in a free history program at the museum and every third grader participates in a free science outreach program led by a museum educator. Generally, all fees are kept low so that the community and schools have access to an affordable, enriching museum experience.

The Museum benefits from other public funding. As members of the North Carolina Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative, we receive a generous grant to support science education. These state funds pay the salaries for four of our education staff. Participation in the collaborative results in financial and professional support and significantly elevates science programming that the Museum offers.

We compete for federal funding as well. Currently, a $150,000 Institute for Museums and Libraries Services grant is meeting major costs for a new long term exhibition opening April 1, 2010. These grants are so competitive that they cannot be relied upon as sustainable income, but the funds mean the community will continue to have professional exhibits to tell our regional stories.

Strategically, the museum is building a base of community support. The membership program is fundamental to creating unrestricted operating dollars. Donor support allows us to enhance exhibits or programs and to take better care of the collections. The last three years have resulted in increases in individual major gifts and corporate sponsorships.

Special events are another important source of revenue. When we hold a fundraising event, we want our supporters to learn more about the Museum and mission while having fun. This year’s Message in a Bottle will pair wine with history on Nov. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. The event will combine wine tasting, holiday-appropriate appetizers and, of course, history.

Funds raised from this event will support a new long-term exhibit that will be part of every visitor’s experience for the next decade. An enjoyable evening at the Museum translates into an exhibition that the community will take pride in visiting and sharing with their friends. For tickets to the event, call 910.798.4364.

Ensuring sustainable income is essential to maintaining the museum as a vital part of the community’s quality of life and viable contributor to economic development, which in turn generates more income. In this sense, the museum must operate like a successful business by cultivating and serving its various customers.

Ruth Haas is the executive director at the Cape Fear Museum.