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Save the North Coast’s Natural History Museum

brought to you by Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum

	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 20, 2009

FRIENDS OF THE NORTH COAST’S NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

$40,000 raised by this group of volunteers in three days

The fundraising campaign to “Save the North Coast’s Natural History Museum” launched yesterday when a group of dedicated volunteers met at the museum to outline a comprehensive strategy for keeping the museum from closing. Calling themselves “Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum” this independent group of community members outlined their approach to raising the $120,000 necessary to keep the museum doors open through June 2010. $40,000 in pledges has been gathered in only three days. The most recent donor pledged both $5000 and a trailer to accommodate more office space for the museum staff.

On August 7, 2009 Humboldt State University announced plans to close the museum due to State Budget Constraints. Immediately after the announcement concerned community members rallied their support to "Save the North Coast’s Natural History Museum." On August 12 the first community meeting was held at the Museum with over 60 people in attendance. At this meeting Dean James Howard and Associate Dean Steven Smith agreed to let the group come up with a plan by Aug. 28 to raise $120,000 and to submit strategies for long term fiscal support for the museum. A second meeting held on August 17 set forth a fundraising, marketing and long term strategies plan for the future of the museum.

The August 19, 2009 meeting was a lively and excited discussion. Buoyed by the $40,000 in pledges the group developed a Fundraising Committee focusing on six approaches : Grassroots Efforts; Foundations & Large Donors; Grants; 501(c)(3) Research; Closing & Incentive Costs and Marketing. In the coming weeks each group will launch their efforts to raise the rest of the funds needed to keep the museum open.

The proposal to Humboldt State is due on August 28, 2009. After receipt of the proposal HSU will determine if the museum will stay open or if the doors will be closed. The Board is at work on a proposal that both outlines short term goals to raise $120,000 and also the long term goals of raising enough money to fund the museum so that it can be a lasting and thriving institution in the community.

Friends of the North Coast’s Natural History Museum continues to update the blog (http://savethenorthcoastnhm.blogspot.com) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/savencnhm). They are also on Facebook and can be reached at savethenorthcoastnhm@gmail.com. For interviews please contact Karen Reiss, 825-0465 or karen-reiss@redwoods.edu