Helping the Smithsonian: In Their Own Words





Photo Courtesy:  OpenScientist

For the last few weeks I've been talking about the many great things museums offer and how instrumental they can be to citizen science. Our fields are interconnected and we can both help each other succeed. So if you have just a few dollars to spare won't you help by contributing to the Smithsonian this month? They are the nation's largest free museum and they provide help to other museums across the country. Just click on the "Donate" button to the right and I will also contribute $5 for every person who chips in.

So far the fundraising is admittedly behind where it should be, but let's keep pushing for the next two weeks and have a successful finish.

As a reminder of the Smithsonian's role, I received a timely e-mail last week that must be shared. It describes a $400,000 fundraising goal they are trying to meet by September 30 and the good things they are doing with their money. So don't just read my reasons to support the Smithsonian, here they are in the Smithsonian's own words.

People like you are making amazing things happen.

Planets are discovered, endangered species and ancient are revealed.  These things happen in no small part because of the generosity of people just like you.  Your gift to the Smithsonian truly matters.

As our fiscal year draws to a close, we're turning our attention to the next 12 months.  We have ambitious, exciting plans and were setting a BIG goal to help realize our dreams: we need to raise $400,000 before September 30 -- can you help us reach our goal?
Your gift helps make it possible for us to offer millions of people inspiring experiences that can only be found at the Smithsonian.  For example:

• At the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center, people of all ages marvel at a true icon of American space travel, the Space Shuttle Discovery, our nation's longest-serving orbiter.
• At the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Roads of Arabia exhibition provides visitors an eye-opening look at the largely unknown ancient past of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• At the National Zoo's American Trail exhibit, a new habitat for seals and sea lions (plus beavers, river otters, bald eagles, and wolves) delights visitors while providing important information about America's indigenous wildlife.

We simply couldn't maintain amazing exhibits like these without the generosity of individuals like you.  Make a gift today and help us continue to provide the exceptional Smithsonian experiences that thrill visitors year after year.

The Smithsonian relies on both federal funding and private philanthropy.  While federal funding supports our infrastructure, it is the private philanthropy of individuals like you that truly makes it possible for the Smithsonian to continue to be a groundbreaking institution and a universal lens for learning.

Thank you for your dedication to the Smithsonian, and for making your special gift before September 30.

Warm Regards,

Laura Brouse-Long

Director, Friends of the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Institution
 

Of course you can always donate directly to them here.  But by using the "Donate" button on the right you help show the value of citizen science and the importance of our community.