Become a Donor
A gift or donation to the Museum provides important support for our natural history collections, exhibits, and education programs. Supporters of the Museum help us to gather, preserve, and promote the natural history heritage of our region. The Museum uses our valuable collections to Connect People with Nature and Science to Inspire Stewardship of the Natural World. Gifts to the Museum insure we continue to provide high-quality interpretative programs to visiting school children and the public as well as continuing to offer outstanding permanent and temporary exhibits. We work to inspire the next generation of world ecological citizens!
You can Donate Online Now, or mail in your donation (please make all checks payable to SCMNH) to Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
For more information, please contact our Development Office at (831) 420-6115 x 14 to discuss additional donation options.
Ways to Give
Corporate Matching Programs
Many organizations offer to match their staff’s donations. Ask your employer today if your contribution can be matched, and make the most of your investment!
General Support
A gift of general support allows the Museum to direct your gift to its highest priority program or project. You may also choose to designate your gift to support a specific purpose or program, such as collections acquisition and curation, special or permanent exhibits, or education programs. You can make a one-time gift, or you can pledge to make a larger gift by spreading the payments over several months or a year.
Matching Gifts
Your employer may match your contribution – doubling your support! Check with your human resources department or corporate giving program for more details.
Honor Someone Special
Make a gift in someone’s name, as a way to commemorate a landmark birthday, anniversary, memorial, or accomplishment. We will work with you to best recognize your gift and the honoree.
Planning for the Future
Estate planning provides a unique opportunity to make a significant gift to support the Museum. Legacy giving allowed the Museum to establish its first permanent endowment. A commitment of 1-10% of a personal or family Trust can result in a significant gift to the Museum. Consult with your financial advisor or estate planner on ways you may be able to the support the Museum in the future. The Museum is working with the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County to accept gifts of appreciated stocks and securities, as well as cash gifts. Please contact our Development Officeat (831) 420-6115 x14 for more information about our planned giving program, the Lightkeeper Society.
Business Partnerships
Community partnerships with area businesses are important for the support of Museum operations including offering free days for visitation, collection acquisition and curation, ongoing programs for school groups and the public, and in the offering of new exhibits and programs for the community. Sponsoring an event, program, or exhibit shows that your business values connecting people with nature. Sponsors get noticed at events, in Museum newsletters, on our website and social media sites. Please visit our Business Partnerships page or contact the Museum at (831) 420-6115 x14 to learn more and to get your business noticed.