What You Support

An institution devoted to scientific excellence: On any given day our scientists conduct research in our laboratories and at sites around the globe. Their work informs our understanding of critical issues of our time from environmental conservation to public health, climate change and food security. Gifts to the museum help support:

• Citizen scientists who assist and collaborate on museum researcher's projects locally and globally.
• Scientists field work to conduct and research the vast biodiversity of our planet.  
• Internships and fellowships for the next generation of scientists to study and learn from our renowned experts.  

Education: With programs for everyone from preschoolers to postdoctoral fellows, we inspire young people with the world's magnificence and engage them with the thrills of science. Gifts to the museum help support:

• School and distance learning opportunities including the award-winning Smithsonian Science How interactive webcast.
• STEM education resources for teachers and home school programs to build lesson plans and student research projects. 
• Family programs on nature, science, and culture.

Exhibitions: Over 6 million visitors experience the beauty, awe, and wonder of the natural world through our exhibitions annually. Through active exploration and discovery, we are committed to fueling curiosity in the next generation of knowledge seekers. 

• Landmark exhibits like Deep Time and Q?rius have a permanent home in the museum and bring together cutting edge research with innovative, educational programming that make each visit memorable for all ages.  
• Temporary exhibits like Narwhal and Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World bring new and relevant science to the public and create fresh new exhibit spaces that make each trip to the museum a unique experience.  
• Visitor and special services provide access and resources for visitors with disabilities. 

Collections: The future of the planet is inextricably linked to the power of our natural history collections which represent the best planetary record that humans possess. Collections document long-term baselines, trends and changes in biodiversity and culture. Gifts to the museum help support:

• Digitizing and creating platforms to share our collection data for global accessibility and discovery.
• Care and conservation for the irreplaceable 145 million specimens and artifacts for the continued use for discoveries far into the future. 
• State of the art equipment and tools to unlock the untold secrets held within the collections and to support the collections safety. 

Annual Support: Critical ongoing, unrestricted support gives the museum the ability to sustain and enhance day to day operations and the flexibility to fund critical needs that arise.

Endowments are crucial to the long-term financial health of the museum and grow in value with time. They provide reliable funding for research, education, staffing positions and are a meaningful way to establish a legacy in perpetuity. 

• Support a science or curatorial position that ensures the museum's ability to recruit and retain talented scientists.
• Create fellowship opportunities for young scientists to build careers in natural history.
• Provide educational programs through seminars and lecture series that engage the public and inspire a community of life long learners.  
• Fund scientific field research with stable and reliable financial resources.