Earned income is a vital part of our museum that range from money earned from special events, to selling memorial stepping stones we use on our walkways. Store sales, garage sales, book sales are a few other projects. At 03:00 PM 5/26/96 -0400, you wrote: >>>Those on the line, how many of you are associated with "a museum" that is >>>not state, federal or government supported with paid salary? benefits? >>>site or building,etc.? How many are really totally non-profit and on >>>their own in the naked jungle of "where's my funding coming from next?" >>> >>We are an emerging children's museum that meets all those criteria! >> > >We meet the "museum" criteria as set out by AAM and we are totally private >non-profit. I think the answer to where the money comes from is EARNED >INCOME! At MMC last fall a presenter said, "just because you're non-profit >doesn't mean you can't earn money," and that really hit a chord with me >because we are about 60% earned income and 40% contributed. Museums CAN >charge for their services, but I think where the fine line comes is at >admission: if the museum is supported by tax dollars for a good part of its >general operating income, it seems like double-dipping to charge the public >to come in the door. > >I'd like to see a discussion going on this list of what museum >services/programs people charge for and what it means for the income of the >institution. My personal belief is that earned income is not a dirty word >(or phrase) and that non-governmental museums are in general too shy about >charging for the valuable educational services they provide. > > >Julia Moore >Indianapolis Art Center > > John Martinson [log in to unmask] Work: Fort Walla Walla Museum 755 Myra Rd Walla Walla, WA 99364 (509) 525-7703 (Work) Let's not forget our past