I think you'll find that people are more likely to donate immediately
after their visit. Catch them while the museum is still fresh in their
mind and their still on a 'high' from their visit. Besides, if they
are a one-time visitor you'll never get the chance to tap them again
anyway. I never feel like not-for-profits are "nickle and diming" me
when they ask for donations. We actually have four different boxes and
each one gets used and I have NEVER received a negative comment about
them. You've clearly outlined your funding needs and people understand
this. It's their choice to contribute. As a matter of fact I usually
see moms and dads handing their kids the money to put in the box, it
makes them feel good knowing they've contributed to something
worthwhile.

Just some thoughts,
Andy

On 2/5/07, Pamela Silvestri <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>
> I think the 'earmarked' donation box is an excellent idea! "Who wouldn't
> want to donate towards the children's exhibits...?" , comes to mind for me.
> This also lets the donor know that the earmarked funds are an extra
> 'something needed', that can't be fully realized through the admission.
>
>  I wouldn't think that this box would affect the larger donations, because
> many of these such donors may need an acknowledgement/receipt. It may be
> that the anonymous donation would allow them to donate a little extra (and
> at other times of the year, etc).  The trial, to test the feasibility of the
> donation box, is a good way to go.
>
> Pam
>
> In a message dated 2/5/2007 12:13:23 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
>
> Greetings fellow Listserv readers,
>
>
>
> Our staff is having a lively debate regarding donation boxes.  We currently
> do not have one in our museum, but are considering putting one out.  What
> are the pros and cons of having a donation box?  Some of our concerns are:
>
>
> Will are visitors feel like we are "nickel and dime-ing" them?
> Will the donation box give an excuse for our higher-end donors to give an
> anonymous gift, and result in a lower donation?
> How many one-time visitors will actually contribute on top of the admission
> cost?
>
>
>
> We consider our Whaling Museum a medium-sized museum with about 60,000
> annual visitors, the majority of those visits occurring in the summer
> months.  We have a membership base of about 2,800.  Our family membership
> sells for $125 (with a discount for year-round island residents) and
> admission to the museum is $15.  As a trial, we are considering putting the
> donation box in our discovery room with signage telling the visitor that
> donations will go towards the cost of children's costumes and hands-on
> exhibits.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>
> -Jeff
>
>
>
> P.S.  I searched the archive and saw that a similar topic was discussed a
> couple of years ago, but was focused on where to put the donation box, not
> the pros and cons of donation boxes.
>
>
>
> Jeffrey S. Bowen
>
> Assistant Membership Coordinator
>
> Nantucket Historical Association
> P.O. Box 1016
> Nantucket, MA 02554
> Phone: 508-228-1894 x 116
> Fax: 508-228-5618
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> www.nha.org
>
> Pamela Silvestri, Volunteer Assistant Museum Director
> Northeast States Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
> Shenipsit State Forest Headquarters
> 166 Chestnut Hill Road
> Stafford Springs, Connecticut 06076
> Telephone: (860) 684-3430
> e-mail: [log in to unmask] or
> [log in to unmask]
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