Colonial day is an annual event hosted for the community and schools

MUSEUM OF MOBILE

111 South Royal Street Mobile, AL 36602

www.museumofmobile.com

A New Era of Financial Development at MOM In the spring of 2010 the Museum of Mobile (MOM) planned to host the George Washington Carver Exhibit. The GWC exhibit was produced by The Field Museum of Chicago. Hosting this exhibit presented the museum with a new financial challenge. Due to the national financial crisis and overall poor economic climate, contributions were at an all time low. MOM needed to actively solicit contributions from the Mobile community to fund the exhibit. The Senior Management recommended to MOM’s Board of Directors that a development position be created and funded by the Board to secure contributions for the exhibit. The Board approved the position and Beverly Cooper, businesswoman and community volunteer, was hired as Development Officer on July 6, 2009 to work with MOM to secure funding for the GWC Exhibit. Although development is standard business practice for non-profit organizations like MOM, this was a new experience for MOM’s staff and board. In addition to this being a challenging climate to raise funds, MOM had not actively pursued financial development since the capital campaign of 2001. At this time the development officer of the Museum would have to re-establish the Museums presence and needs among the philanthropic community of Mobile. The Carver story was a great story to share; a man born into slavery who becomes a scholar, a true humanitarian and scientist whose lifelong mission was to bring practical plant and farm knowledge to those in need. With such a poignant topic it was easier to engage businesses and individuals in supporting the Museum’s effort to bring the exhibit to Mobile. For some it was the first time they knew anything about the museum; for others it was a re-acquaintance and for others it was rebuilding and reconnecting. (cont. p. 2)

“The growth and maturity of the

Museum of Mobile has a great deal to do

with its ability to attract funders.”

MAP Final Report 2010

NEWSLETTER EDITOR:

Dorothy Howard (251) 208-6055

developmentmom@cityof mobile.org

History is our Mission . . . to Illuminate and Preserve

A SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AT THE MUSEUM OF MOBILE (MOM) JULY 2011

Museum of Mobile Development Newsletter

The George Washington Carver Garden

Museum of Mobile Financial Development

PAGE 2

JULY 2011

FY 2010-11 Year to date contributions

* What It’s Worth proceeds were split 50/50 with Penelope House

A New Era of Financial Development at MOM (cont.) The response was positive enough for us to obtain the support for the immediate need and the time to work on developing a stronger relationship for the future. For the Carver exhibit the monetary contributions, grants and in-kind donations provided MOM with $233,444. As fund development for the Carver exhibit came to an end, it was clear that the Development Officer was an explicit need of the Museum. Ms. Cooper was pivotal in establishing the 501(c)3 tax status for MOM. This is a vital step in MOM becoming a marketable non-profit organization in the philanthropic community. Since establishing this fund MOM has received approximately $40, 000 in donations and grants. The overall national and state economic climate has changed little in the last 3 years. As state and county budgets are facing more cuts, MOM must continue to look for funding independent of the government entities. The Development activities are imperative to the financial viability of MOM in the upcoming years.

FY 2009-10 Financial Development

Ask the Experts >>> Q: What is the 501(c)3 tax status?

A: Organizations created or established and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, educational, and other specified purpose are awarded the federal tax status 501(c)3. The status gives our donors the ability to make certain deductions for federal income tax purposes. Being identified as an organization with 501 (c)3 makes our organization a more marketable entity for development purposes.

*

Phoenix Fire House

JUNE 2011 PAGE 3

Museum of Mobile Financial Development

“We are in challenging economic times and state government must do what every Alabama family is doing right now and that is find ways to cut back on spending, . . . Historical sites, tourist attractions and Halls of Fame are wonderful for tourism and travel, but they are not as important as providing health care to low-income children

and elderly or as to keeping state troopers on the road.”

-Governor Robert Bentley, State of the State address March 2011

JULY 2011

Fiscal year 2009-2010 Income Sources

Based on the Mobile Museum Board, Inc. Statement of Activities for the year ending September 30, 2010 the above graph combines the in-kind donations with the City and County appropriations. This clearly demonstrates the amount of funding that is contributed to MOM by City/County sources. These funds are at risk of being cut in the current economic climate. With 80% of the income source being subject to government contracts and agreements MOM is dependent on funds that could be pulled from the operating budget in the upcoming years. For financial viability it is imperative that the work that is being done by the development office continue to grow the 501 (c) 3 donations. In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 the 501 (c) had raised additional $223,444 funds that are not reflected in the Statement of Activities Report.

Investment income1%

Program income1% Rentals

2%

Gift shop sales2%

Admission & Membership Fees

5%

Contributions8%

Funding from City & County*

81%

During the depths of the Great Depression in the 1930’s a small group of Mobile women spearheaded the crusade to preserve our museums historic treasurers. Thanks to their vision and tireless efforts MOM’s collections survived the Great Depression.

Our Development Officer Beverly Cooper, exemplifies this tradition that was established over 80 years ago by these visionary Mobilians. Ms. Cooper has devised and launched a financial development program that provides MOM with an opportunity to transcend the current economic climate and look to the future. Therefore I firmly believe that MOM’s greatest days are still ahead of her.

Gertrude Baker David Bayne Otis Brunson Lawrence E. Carrol, Jr. Vicki Davis Wanda Earl Forrest S. Latta Matt McDonald Clarence L. Mohr

Jack O’Brien Tracy Poinquinette Sidney Schell Royshanda Smith-Jackson David Smithwreck Mary Taylor-Stevenson Joy Washington Lisa Young

Mobile Museum Board, Inc. Patricia Edington, Chair

Wayne E. Sirmon, Vice Chair Nick Holmes, Treasurer

David Alsobrook, Director, Museum of Mobile

Director’s Message

Museum of Mobile Financial Development

Alabama Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils,

ALFA Insurance Company, All Clean Janitorial, Austal, The Ben May Charitable Trust Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama

The Crampton Trust, Common Wealth Bank Hearin-Chandler Foundation, J.L. Bedsole Foundation

McGowin Trust, Mobile County Commission Northrop Gruman Ship Systems, Poarch Creek Indians

US Department of Agriculture, What’s It Worth State Farm Insurance Agents:

Stan Chavis, Adrianne Fisher, Makeda D Nichols

Individual Contributors

Shirley Baumhauer, Deborah Cobb, Dorothy Converse & Brandy Monroe,

Isabel M. Devine, Dr. & Mrs. Yukiko Downey, A. Bailey Dumont, Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Frazier,

Mr. & Mrs Frye Gaillard, E. Jackson & Lynn Green, Robert A. Guthans, George N. Hardesty Jr,

Nicholas H. Holmes Jr, T.A. Horst Jr, Horace T. Jackson, Paul & Elaine Klotz,

Forrest Latta, Darby Luxenburg, Courtney E. McGowin, Susan R. Miller, Joan F. Myers, David & Carol Norris, Charles Rodning,

Mr. & Mrs. David M. Pearsall, Jesse & Jeanette Safford, Frank & M. Dinan Sims,

Wayne Sirmon, Marjory C. Slavin, David & Monica Sue Smithweck,

A. Lee & Mary I Swetman, Katherine M. Thomas, Dr. Michael Thomason,

Mabel B. Ward, William & Mitzi Wolfarth

AAA Foam & Fabric, Antiques at the Loop, Artwork by J Aronson, Ron Barrett,

The Battle House Hotel and Spa, The Bienville Club, Bishop State Culinary Students

Blue Rents, Fox10 News, Gethsemane Cemetery, Greater Mobile Chapter of The Links, Inc.,

Krewe du Bon Temps, Lowe’s, The Courtyard Manor, The Fresh Market,

The Renaissance Riverview Plaza Sam’s Club, Sara Lee, Shore Acres Plant Farm,

Summer Classics, Toomey Mardi Gras Tuskegee University National Alumni Association

Corporate & Business Sponsors In Kind Contributors

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS.

YOU ALLOW US TO

PRESERVE & SHARE THE HISTORY OF MOBILE

& THE GULF COAST

JULY 2011 PAGE 4

History is our Mission . . . to Illuminate and Preserve

JUNE 2011 PAGE 5

Museum of Mobile Financial Development

“What’s it Worth” is Mobile’s version of the popular PBS Antique Roadshow. Patricia Edington, a local antique appraiser and President of the Museum of Mobile Board has worked with Fox10 news forseveral years to host this event. Each year a charity in the Mobile area benefits from the proceeds of this event. This year all proceeds were split between the Museum of Mobile and Penelope House. The appraisers donated their time, and Fox10 is the primary promoter and sponsor of the event. This year the event was held on May 4-5, 2011. More then 1,000 Mobilians cleaned out their attics, sheds, jewelry boxes and even took the art off their walls to find out “What’s it Worth”.

In the lawn area across Royal Street from MOM the crowds gathered for two days. Fox 10 broadcasted from the lot bringing much needed attention to the location of MOM. Many in attendance were thrilled to know we have a history museum in Mobile and were excited to find out what their piece of Mobile History was worth. The highest appraised item was a signed Picasso etching valued at $25,000 or more. Only 300 were created by Picasso. There was also a Confederate sword appraised at $8,000, an 1857 map of Texas appraised at $2,000 and a 1957 Roaster Oven appraised at $1,800. Over 2,000 items were appraised raising $8,538 for the Museum of Mobile and Penelope House. We plan for this event to be held annually.

“What’s It Worth”

JULY 2011

They were maids, cooks butlers, doormen, electricians and all the people who kept the country’s most famous household running efficiently. Covering 200 years of White House service, their narratives provide a rare and intimate perspective on the ceremonies, elegant state dinners, national celebrations and heartbreaking tragedies that shape and make United States history.

Many of our artifacts are in need of conservation and repair. Spring 2012 the development office will be focusing on how we can help

raise funds for this important task.

For more information on how you can be involved in this specific task please contact the development office. developmentMOM@cityofmobile.org or (251) 208-6055

“The Working White House gives exhibit

visitors a rare view of the inner workings of

America’s most renowned residence

through the experiences, firsthand accounts and one-of-a-

kind artifacts of the largely unrecognized people crucial to the everyday lives of our

first families.” ~Neil W. Horstman ~ President of the White

House Historical Association

Don’t miss this upcoming exhibit

Sept. 17 – Nov. 27, 2011

Coming September 11 ~ December 2, 2011

PAGE 6

JULY 2011

111 South Royal St Mobile, AL 36602

Ten years ago on September 21st, ten days after 9/11/01, the Museum of Mobile opened in the Southern Market. With somber recognition of our 10th anniversary the Museum of Mobile will host "Recovery: The World Trade Center Recovery Operation at Fresh Kills." "Recovery" is a traveling exhibition that documents the historic project at the Fresh kills Landfill that was in operation from September 2001 to July 2002 to recover human remains, personal objects and material evidence from the collapse of the World Trade Center. The exhibit is organized by the New York State Museum, Albany, NY.

Opening Ceremony September 11, 2011 Museum to open at

11am

Mobile First Responders

will receive Free Admission On Opening Day