A Tribute to the Past... A Legacy for the Future.

The Japanese American National Museum is the first museum in the United States expressly dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry. Through building a comprehensive collection of Japanese American material culture and through a multi-faceted program of exhibitions, educational programs, films, and publications, the Museum tells the story of Japanese Americans around the country to a national and international audience.

The mission of the Museum is: to promote understanding and appreciation of America's ethnic and cultural diversity by preserving, interpreting and sharing the experiences of Japanese Americans." We share the story of Japanese Americans because we honor our nation's diversity. We believe in the importance of remembering our history to better guard against the prejudice that threatens liberty and equality in a democratic society. We strive as a world-class museum to provide a voice for Japanese Americans and a forum that enables all people to explore their own heritage and culture. We promote continual exploration of the meaning and value of ethnicity in our country through programs that preserve individual dignity, strengthen our communities, and increase respect among all people. We believe that our work will transform lives, create a more just America and, ultimately, a better world..

The Japanese American National Museum is a private, non-profit institution founded in 1985. Phase I was completed through the contributions of thousands of people around the country who generously provided over $13 million enabling the Museum to open to the public in 1992. In its short history, the Museum has gained the support of over 51,000 members and contributors, from all fifty states and 16 countries.

If the Japanese American National Museum is to be alive and vibrant, it must provide for the future.

Our Pavilion provides a new 85,000 square foot facility adjacent to the historic building and houses an expanded space for exhibitions, education, public programs, Hirasaki National Resource Center, and the storage of our growing collections. Together both facilities provide over 100,000 square feet of space creating a world class museum. An endowment for future program and operational costs has also been established.

Conceptual design for the expansion Pavilion was done by Gyo Obata, Co-Chairman of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum (HOK), architects for the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and many other national and international projects.

By making a gift now you will assure that the Japanese American National Museum will be a permanent center for Japanese American heritage and a legacy for the future.

We invite you to become a part of the "Museum Family" today with your tax-deductible contribution towards the Japanese American National Museum's Annual Fund. We invite you to join us as a member, become a volunteer, contribute artifacts, photographs, or home movies to our collections, or help the Museum to preserve our collections. Add your name to the growing number of supporters and be included among over 51,000 members and donors from across the country whose commitment and support have helped to create a place where Japanese American heritage will live on.

A Tribute to the Past...A Legacy for the Future

There are a number of permanent donor recognition opportunities for supporters of the Museum's new Pavilion. Donors of $100 or more may wish to permanently recognize an individual in the following ways:

The Children's Courtyard: Paving the Way for the Future

For your gift of $100, the Museum will place the name of any child you designate in The Children's Courtyard at the entrance to the expansion Pavilion. The name of a child you choose to honor in this way will become a permanent part of the Japanese American National Museum, symbolizing our commitment to the future.

Windows to the Future

For your gift of $500, the Museum will permanently inscribe any name of your choosing on the Windows to the Future -- the glass exterior walls of the Pavilion. These spectacular walls catch the light and draw the attention of all who enter the Pavilion. This is an extraordinary opportunity to memorialize or honor a special individual in your life.

Name placement for The Children's Courtyard and Windows to the Future will be determined by the date received with priority placement of names given to those received first.

Additional permanent Donor Wall recognition opportunities are available for gifts at higher levels:

PERMANENT DONOR WALL RECOGNITION LEVELS

Each donor's commitment will be recorded and acknowledged. Contributions of $3,000 or more will be recognized on the Museum's permanent Donor Wall. The Donor Wall will recognize gifts at the following levels:

All donors, unless otherwise specified, will be included in a published listing of contributors. All other information about a donor's commitment will remain confidential at the Museum Office. Gifts may also be listed as anonymous.

Donor Wall listings may be listed either in the name of the donor, "in memory of," "in honor of," or anonymously. The Donor Wall names will be one line listings of no more than 40 characters.

Many donors have made gifts in their own name and have also made gifts in recognition of their Issei parents or grandparents. These types of gifts are particularly applicable to Family Gifts, which enable family members to contribute collectively.

The following are examples of how gifts may be listed:

Joe & Mary Sato

In memory of Joe & Mary Sato

Mr. & Mrs. Joe Sato

In honor of Joe & Mary Sato

Mary Sato ABC Company/Joe Sato Family

Joe & Mary Sato Family National Organization

(Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.)

Gifts signify a partnership with the Museum in supporting its work. Some of the ways contributions can be made include:

• Cash -- May be made by cash, check or credit card.
• Pledges -- May be made over a three to five year period in quarterly, semi-annual or annual payments to enable a donor to consider a larger gift to the Museum.
• Family Gifts -- Donors may wish to have several members of a family make a joint gift in "memory of" or "in honor of" Issei or Nisei family members or in the name of the family or other individuals.
• Gifts of Appreciated Property -- Are welcomed and accepted by the Museum.
• Securities -- Gifts of appreciated securities or stock can have substantial tax benefits.
• Real Estate -- Gifts of appreciated marketable real estate can qualify for charitable income tax deduction.
• Corporate Matching Gifts -- Please check with your employer; you may be able to increase your contribution through Corporate Matching Gifts programs.
• Charitable Trust Gifts -- For donors who would like to make a gift and in return have lifetime income from the assets with capital gains and income tax savings as well.
• Estate Gifts -- Bequests in a will or trust that provide flexibility while allowing a donor to leave a legacy long after passing on.

Donor Registry

The Museum will maintain a permanent computerized registry of all individuals contributing to a Permanent Recognition gift.

For more information, please contact the Development Office at (213)625-0414 or send email to development@janm.org. Outside of Los Angeles, please call 1-800-461-JANM.