Make A Donation
By donating to the Michigan Maritime Museum, you are preserving the past and inspiring the future. Your gift supports education initiatives, exhibits, operating expenses, events, and so much more. Gifts are tax deductible and you receive the satisfaction of knowing that you are safeguarding Michigan’s Great Lakes maritime history and heritage for generations to come. Giving to the Museum ensures our sustainability. Donations come in all shapes and sizes. Whether your donation is annual or a one-time gift, every dollar counts and is appreciated. Help make history come alive!
Annual Appeal 2025/2026
As The Michigan Maritime Museum looks back on a year marked by new educational initiatives, expanded programming, and deepened community engagement, we want to express our gratitude for your ongoing support. Your commitment is what allows us to provide meaningful learning experiences — from interactive field trips and lectures to hands-on workshops, rotating exhibitions, and living-history interpretation on board our historic vessels.
As you consider your year-end giving, we humbly invite you to make a gift to our Annual Appeal. These essential funds support the heart of our mission: welcoming learners of all ages, maintaining our fleet and campus, and presenting educational programs and exhibits that illuminate Michigan’s maritime heritage.
Your support has enabled tremendous progress, including the continued development of the Harris Commercial Fishing Exhibit, the forthcoming Ruth Wiser Innovation Portal and STEAM-aligned digital content, and the planning of a revitalized lecture series that will bring historians, mariners, researchers, and educators to our campus in the year ahead. In 2026, we look forward to unveiling new programs and exhibitions that will invite students, families, scholars, and visitors to dive deeper into Michigan’s maritime heritage with curiosity and wonder.
Every gift, large or small, has a real and immediate impact. Your generosity fuels expanded youth learning, dynamic educational initiatives, collections preservation, public programs, and the care of our vessels and waterways as living classrooms.
A contribution to the Michigan Maritime Museum is an affirmation of the belief that history should be experienced, knowledge should be shared, and learning should be accessible. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and continued support. We look forward to welcoming you back to your Michigan Maritime Museum soon.
Gifts may be made:
- Online by clicking the button below
- By check (please indicate your chosen areas of donation in the memo section of your check and see information in the Ways to Give section below on this page)
- Over the phone by calling (269) 637-8078 ext. 202
- In-person at our campus location (see our Hours page for info on current hours or call ahead)
Ways to Give
Make a general donation online
To make a gift by mail, send a check to:
Michigan Maritime Museum
260 Dyckman Avenue
South Haven, Michigan 49090
Tribute & Memorial Gifts
Consider honoring someone or celebrating a special occasion through a Tribute or Memorial gift to the Museum. These can be indicated through any giving method of your choosing. Be sure to include who is the honoree and who should receive a notification of the gift. If you have questions about this type of gift, please contact us at (269) 637-8078 ext. 202.
Wire Transfers and Gifts of Securities
For information on how to make a gift by matching Foundation opportunities, wire transfers, or through stocks and securities, please contact Bailey Sisoy Moore, Executive Director.
Leave Your Own Maritime Legacy
We invite you to join us in ensuring the future of the Michigan Maritime Museum as you consider leaving your own maritime legacy. We would be honored to work with you on planned gifts such as bequests, insurance policies and retirement accounts. If you would like more information on how you can leave your own maritime legacy, contact Bailey Sisoy Moore, Executive Director.
Donating to the Collection
The Museum has a strict donation policy for all collections material. Please contact us at curator@mimaritime.org or call us at (269) 637-8078 ext. 204 if you would like to donate an item to our collection. The Museum will not accept items without prior arrangements.
