Our Friends, Our Future: Ways to Support The Manitoba Museum

1) Museum Membership
Museum Membership fees not only support the preservation of Manitoba’s unique human and natural heritage, science and space science education, but also encourage family participation in the Museum’s various fun-filled learning activities. Our members enjoy a number of benefits including unlimited free admission to the Museum Galleries, Science Gallery and Planetarium, as well as many other special privileges in return for their contribution.

2) Annual Operating Fund
Annual giving is the key source of support for Museum operations. Outright gifts, contributions made to our annual direct mail appeal, revenues from fundraising events, the private rental of Museum facilities and program and exhibition sponsorships are essential to our existence. This support makes it possible not only to turn on the lights every morning, but also makes possible the work of our educators in developing and delivering quality programs for schools and the public. The commitment of our donors to the Museum enables us to strengthen our valuable community outreach programs, and to maintain and improve our exceptional exhibitions for public learning.

3) The Manitoba Museum Foundation Inc.
The Manitoba Museum Foundation exists to receive and invest deferred gifts, commemorative gifts and donations that build an endowment fund to ensure the future well being of The Manitoba Museum. A portion of the interest earned on the principal is granted back to the Museum to support research, to build and maintain the collections, and to upgrade the exhibits in the Museum’s eight permanent galleries.

Each of us hopes to leave our unique mark in time – to be remembered for our loyalty, commitment, compassion, kindness and generosity. A deferred gift to the Museum is one that is arranged now, but is not available for use by The Manitoba Museum until later in the future. A planned gift enables you to invest in the Museum as your charity of choice while maximizing tax and other financial benefits.

Bequests
By including The Manitoba Museum Foundation Inc. in your will, you can leave a legacy supporting your interests at the Museum. Your estate will receive a donation receipt for the full amount of the bequest, which can assist in reducing the tax payable on your final income tax return.

Life Insurance
A gift of life insurance can be an affordable way for you to make a future major gift to the Museum while enjoying tax relief during your lifetime.

Gift Plus Annuity
You can make a contribution to The Manitoba Museum Foundation and, in turn, receive guaranteed income payments for life.

Charitable Remainder Trust
By establishing a trust to support The Manitoba Museum Foundation, you can enjoy for life, or a term of years, income from the trust. The Manitoba Museum Foundation receives what remains in the trust after death, or after a specified number of years.

4) Capital Building Renewal Program
Our vision for renewal has attracted support and ideas that have surpassed our original plans in ways we could not have imagined. We have achieved a great deal since the launch of the Capital Building Renewal Program in 1993, raising more than $21 million.

The Museum’s successful capital campaign and the resulting building development projects have made an enormous contribution to our ability to interpret and convey the history of Manitoba, and provide engaging ‘real time’ astronomy and science education.

These accomplishments are the result of the collective confidence and participation of our individual and corporate capital campaign donors and participating governments. All have played an essential role in ensuring that future generations experience the joy of discovering their heritage, the world around them and the last frontiers of space. To date, Capital Building Renewal Program accomplishments include:

Alloway Hall Exhibition Centre (completed l995)
The 577 sq. metres exhibition hall is a centre for large community events of all types, and touring exhibitions that bring the world to our door.

Collections Storage Facilities (completed l994)
State-of-the-art environmental facilities for the long-term preservation of the more than two million heritage artifacts and specimens we hold in trust for all Manitobans.

HBC Museum Collection (received l994)
The acquisition of one of the world’s most significant heritage resources – the Hudson’s Bay Company Museum Collection – 10,000 treasures that tell the story of the Company and bring to life the history of the great Canadian Fur Trade.

Hudson’s Bay Company Gallery, Collections Storage and Exhibit Development Wing (Wing completed in 1997, Gallery completed in 2000) A new 2,800 sq. meter wing housing the magnificent Hudson’s Bay Company Museum Collection, storage and research facilitites, and showcasing this national treasure in the stunning Hudson's Bay Company Gallery.

Nonsuch Gallery Refurbishment (completed 2000)
A dramatic refurbishment of the waterfront setting of our signature Gallery housing the amazing replica of the famous fur trade ketch Nonsuch. The Nonsuch returned to London, England in 1669 with an incredible hold of prime beaver pelts, catalyzing the establishment of the Hudson’s Bay Company a year later (1670).

Planetarium Star Theatre Technological Refit (nearly complete) State-of-the-art technology including a digital video editing production suite, industrial DVD players, wireless microphones, an automation system, data projector and two laptop computers have achieved our goal of a Planetarium for the 21st century. Live, interactive school and public programs focused on astronomy and space science encourage visitors to ‘touch the universe.’

Parklands/Mixed-Woods Gallery (Open 2003)
Research, design and framework construction of the Parklands/Mixed-Woods Gallery is nearing completion. One of the most important projects of our Capital Building Renewal Program, the Parklands Gallery will complete the story of Manitoba as it is told in the Museum, from the Arctic to the Grasslands. When completed in 2003, the 930 sq. metre Gallery will be the largest, most interactive, and most costly to construct of the Museum’s permanent galleries.

Visitor Reception Facilities (ongoing)
Plans include improved visitor access, orientation way-finding and comfort to enhance the overall museum experience.

We are very proud of this Museum and are working hard to ensure that it remains one of the best – a credit to our heritage, our province and the entire country.