Smithsonian Launches Biggest Fundraising Campaign in Its 178-Year History

Today, the Smithsonian announced a major fundraising campaign—the “Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future.” With a goal of $2.5 billion, it is the largest campaign in Smithsonian history and represents the largest amount to be raised in a campaign by a cultural organization. It will culminate in 2026 with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Smithsonian Institution was founded by a single philanthropic donation. It was established by Congress in 1846 with more than $500,000 from British scientist James Smithson “to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” The Smithsonian began raising its own funds, supplemented by an annual federal appropriation, in the decades that followed.

“Through this campaign we have the opportunity, together, to contemplate our rich, complex history as we aspire to live up to our founding ideals,” said Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian. “The visionary Americans who support the Smithsonian at this historic moment will pave the way for a brave new future ahead.”

“The Smithsonian has something for everyone and the potential to touch all Americans in a meaningful way,” said Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey, chair of the Board of Regents. “This campaign gives us the opportunity to speak to our shared future.”

The Smithsonian Campaign sets out four broad themes: Opening Pathways to New Knowledge, Powering Creativity and Innovation, Advancing Sustainability and Discovery, and Illuminating Our Nation’s Past. All Smithsonian museums and centers are participating, raising funds to support specific priorities. The campaign will also raise significant funds for several strategic goals spanning the entire Smithsonian. These include:

• Supporting visionary leadership by endowing directorships across the Smithsonian. This will allow the Smithsonian to attract the highest caliber of leaders both now and in the future, unlocking the full potential of its collections and staff.
• Securing funds to ensure that all Smithsonian internships are paid. By providing fully paid internships, the Smithsonian will level the playing field for interns of all backgrounds to access transformational, only-at-the-Smithsonian learning experiences in fields such as art, science and education.
• Expanding Smithsonian’s digital reach, including a new experience called “My Smithsonian” that will invite the public to explore and interact with Smithsonian collections and content in new ways.
• Investing in the Smithsonian’s Life on a Sustainable Planet initiative through programs advancing research to save species and restore healthy ecosystems, digitizing scientific collections to increase accessibility, exploring people’s place in the universe and activating a nation of participatory scientists. 
• Marking America’s 250th anniversary with once-in-a-lifetime celebrations and commemorations on the National Mall in 2026, programs across the Smithsonian’s arts units and reach across the country.

Campaign Leadership

The Smithsonian has engaged a cohort of campaign ambassadors and co-chairs who have a deep commitment to the Institution and its mission and vision. As the public face of the campaign, these volunteer leaders work to reach people across the country. The work is led by nine co-chairs:

• Jane Abraham, McLean, Virginia
• Lyndon Barrois Sr., Los Angeles
• Don Chen, New York City
• Allan Holt, Washington, D.C. 
• Kathy Hopinkah Hannan, Southampton, New York
• Cheryl Neal, Atlanta
• Denise O’Leary, Denver
• José Luis Prado, Chicago
• Christine Udvar-Hazy, Dallas

Their work is supported by three honorary campaign ambassadors: Sakurako “Sako” Fisher, former chair of the Smithsonian National Board; Maya Lin, member of Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s advisory board and designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and David M. Rubenstein, former Board of Regents chair and Regent Emeritus.

“I am passionate about serving my country, and appreciate that the overarching mission of the Smithsonian is truly public service,” said Christine Udvar-Hazy, a co-chair and donor to the National Air and Space Museum. “I feel it every time I walk in and out of a Smithsonian museum or research center. I am honored to be part of this campaign.”

Campaign Donors

Many donors have already contributed to this campaign during the quiet phase, which began in 2018 and culminated in today’s official launch for the public phase of the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. Select significant donors to the campaign thus far include:

Bank of America has given across the Smithsonian to 13 museum and cultural centers, emphasizing the arts, history and culture. The bank’s support includes gifts to establish two new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum—and a major commitment to the Smithsonian’s initiative, Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past.

Jeff Bezos, founder and executive chair of Amazon, and founder of aerospace and space flight company Blue Origin, is funding the creation of the Bezos Learning Center for Smithsonian-wide education initiatives, helping to support the transformation of the National Air and Space Museum and supporting a major forest carbon project at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

Lilly Endowment Inc. has supported multiple Smithsonian museums and centers as part of an initiative to improve the public’s understanding of religion and foster greater knowledge of and respect for diverse religious traditions.

David M. Rubenstein, former chair of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, has donated generously to 15 Smithsonian museums and centers, including funding the National Museum of American History’s “Great Americans” medal; programs and exhibitions at the National Museum of African American History of Culture; the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute; and as an early, crucial donor to the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.

Coralyn W. Whitney, former board member of the National Museum of Natural History, member of the Smithsonian Gems and Minerals Collectors Group and longtime donor to the museum, has given the museum a transformational gift. Her donation will fund the renovation of museum’s Baird Auditorium, which will be renamed the Coralyn W. Whitney Auditorium, endow the Chief Scientist position and create an endowment to support priority initiatives at the National Museum of Natural History.

About the Smithsonian

Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to inspiring generations through knowledge and discovery. It is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, zoo, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers and libraries. Two new museums—the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum—are in the early planning stages. With few exceptions, Smithsonian museums are open free-of-charge every day of the year except Dec. 25. The Smithsonian has more than 6,200 Smithsonian employees and 3,800 volunteers. In 2023, it welcomed more than 18 million visitors. The total number of objects works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at more than 157 million. www.si.edu

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