Endowment Society

WHAT IS AN ENDOWMENT?

An endowment is an investment fund set aside for the long-term support of an organization. Only the income, or a portion of the income, is available to spend. The principal is preserved in perpetuity. That is, it is held forever in the organization's name. An endowment is a permanent pool of assets that is invested in a disciplined manner to grow over time.

The Clarence E. Harris Foundation generously supported the creation of CDM's endowment with a $250,000 challenge grant in 2006.  The foundation matched every gift to the endowment dollar for dollar.  In 2018, Alice P. Lupton bequeathed $4 million to CDM's endowment, thereby ensuring the long-term sustainability of the museum. Due to her generosity, today CDM's endowment is nearly $6 million.

Creative Discovery Museum's endowment has been established to ensure that families and children in the region will continue to benefit from this iconic community resource for generations to come. Your contribution to the Alice P. Lupton Memorial Endowment is the gift that keeps on giving. Endowment gifts can be made at any time of the year.

GIFTS TO THE ALICE P. LUPTON MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT CAN INCLUDE:

• Donations of cash, stock, bonds, or mutual funds
• Purchase of bubble on Museum's outdoor Bubble Wall
• Real estate, insurance policies, IRA, and retirement assets
• Bequests, planned, or deferred gifts

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING AN ENDOWMENT FOR CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM?

• It will further diversify the Museum's funding sources and produce a new and predictable income stream, giving the Museum additional freedom to pursue its vision and goals
• Organizations with endowments are viewed as being financially responsible and forward looking - which can attract donors' support for the Museum's programs and exhibits
• An endowment will provide the resources and financial stability to plan confidently for the future and help the Museum continue to offer programs and exhibits that have enabled it to become one of the leading children's museums in the nation