Annual Fund
Students enjoy one of Fernbank’s unique education activities. © FMNH
Fernbank’s 2006 summer archaeology program. © FMNH
FUN youth volunteers engage Museum visitors with hands-on learning opportunities. © FMNH
© FMNH
At the end of the day, gifts to Fernbank Museum’s Annual Fund, whether $25 or $10,000, result in some of the Museum’s most substantial sources of support. Considering a gift to the Annual Fund? Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Fernbank Museum’s Annual Fund.
What’s the Annual Fund, and why should I support it?
As a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Fernbank Museum earns revenue through ticket sales, events, sponsorships and memberships. In order to support day-to-day operations, Fernbank also relies on generous contributions to the Annual Fund to close the gap between what we have and what we need.
Where does my Annual Fund donation go?
At Fernbank Museum of Natural History, our mission is to inspire life-long learning of natural history through dynamic programming to encourage a greater appreciation of our planet and its people. A gift to the Annual Fund is a gift to fulfilling that mission—from start to finish. Annual Fund support goes toward important needs such as paying for one of four $6,000 IMAX® projector bulbs or enabling nearly 100,000 students to visit the Museum each year and participate in our educational programming. Annual Fund donations are 100% tax-deductible, meaning you’re supporting the Museum in the most generous, philanthropic way.
Who gives to the Annual Fund?
Fernbank’s Annual Fund is supported by first-time visitors, volunteers, members, parents, friends, our Board of Trustees and our staff. The Annual Fund is a great way for you to help us further our mission and continue to provide first-rate exhibitions, programming and events to you and the hundreds of thousands who visit Fernbank each year.
What’s the difference between the Annual Fund and Membership?
Membership is an excellent way to access Fernbank’s outstanding programs all year long. Your tax-deductible donation to the Annual Fund enables Fernbank to enrich and expand its educational programming. We encourage our friends to become both members and donors to the Annual Fund.
What about matching gifts?
Matching gifts are a corporate-sponsored benefit wherein a company matches its employees’ personal contributions. Depending on your company’s policy, matching gifts can be handled in different ways.
Can I restrict my gift to one particular area of interest?
Although Fernbank prefers unrestricted gifts that can be directed to areas that are in greatest need, donors may prefer to specify where they would like their gifts to be used.
How can I donate?
Fernbank Museum provides several different ways for you to give to the Annual Fund. To make an online gift, click here. If you would prefer to make a donation in person, over the phone or by mail, please contact the Development Office at 404.929.6371, or write to:
The Annual Fund
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
767 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
Gift Tributes
Make a contribution to Fernbank Museum in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one through a gift tribute to the Annual Fund.
Gifts in Honor
Celebrate holidays, birthdays, anniversaries or any occasion with a gift to Fernbank in the name of a colleague, friend or family member. An honor gift is a unique way to recognize those special people around you in a meaningful, creative way.
Charitable gifts of $25 or more will be personally acknowledged with a letter informing the recipient of your generosity and thoughtfulness. Make any occasion more special by recognizing a friend’s love of Fernbank while supporting a great institution.
Gifts in Memory
Celebrate the life and memory of friends or loved ones through a memorial gift. Recognize one’s appreciation of nature, science and culture during his or her lifetime with a gift in his or her memory.
Fernbank will personally recognize your gift of $25 or more with a letter to the family or friends of your choice. A gift to Fernbank’s Annual Fund in memory of a friend or family member is an exceptional way to honor the life of someone special.
To make a gift in honor or in memory of someone, please contact the Development Office at 404.929.6371, or write to:
Honor and Memorial Gifts
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
767 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
Philanthropic Giving Societies
To recognize annual, unrestricted major gifts that support the operating needs of the Museum, Fernbank has three giving societies, The Discovery Society, The Conservation Society and The Fernbank Society. Each Society is comprised of leading individuals who support Fernbank’s mission of inspiring life-long learning of natural history through dynamic programming to encourage a greater appreciation of the planet and its people. In recognition of this support, members of Fernbank’s Societies receive exclusive benefits and opportunities unique to the Museum’s most generous donors.
The Discovery Society (gifts of $2,500 - $4,999)
The Discovery Society shares Fernbank Museum’s vision that there is always more to learn about our ever-changing world. Members of The Discovery Society encourage Fernbank’s efforts to enrich the experiences of families, children and students through outstanding educational programming—all designed to engage, enlighten and inspire awe about the natural world.
The Conservation Society(gifts of $5,000 - $9,999)
The Conservation Society advances Fernbank’s environmental and science programming, educational offerings and artifact conservation. Members of The Conservation Society continue the inspirational legacy of Fernbank’s founders who led an effort to preserve the 65 acres of Fernbank Forest as a school in the woods for nature study, which today is realized through Fernbank Museum.
The Fernbank Society(gifts of $10,000 and above)
The Fernbank Society plays a major role in determining the future of Fernbank Museum by collectively providing the Museum’s most significant annual support. Encouraging each facet of Fernbank’s mission as well as the goals of Fernbank’s other Societies makes The Fernbank Society the lifeblood of the institution as well as the most philanthropic arm of the Museum.
For more information on The Discovery Society, The Conservation Society or The Fernbank Society, please contact the Development Office at 404.929.6305.