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 2024/2025
Please consider making a donation today to help us achieve our Annual Appeal goal of $100,000 to continue the support for important initiatives and to sustain the Michigan Maritime Museum’s successful growth trajectory.
Some of the important initiatives your Annual Appeal donations will support:
- The authentic resto-creation of the Historic Jensen Building and Commercial Fishing Exhibition. This
will provide a sound and befitting year-round venue for educational, curatorial and exhibition activities. - Strategic expansion of our on-water activities to enhance visitor experience and increase Museum revenue.
- Seasonally rotating new events and programming to keep the Museum experience fresh and attractive.
- With many decades of curated artifacts housed at the Maryalice Canonie Great Lakes Research Library, improved climate control equipment, an updated cataloging system, and correct storage and display fixtures are essential for the long-term safety, security and utilization of our collection.
Directed Annual Appeal donations can be made in support of the following:
- Help make education accessible to all with a directed donation to the MAKE Education Happen Grant.
- Help keep Friends Good Will sailing consistently with a directed donation to the FGW Emergency
Maintenance and Dredging Fund.
You may choose to give to one or more areas of need for your Annual Appeal gift. With your fully tax-deductible gift, you are supporting the Museum’s efforts to showcase an extensive array of educational programs, exhibitions, and visitor engagements with a wide-ranging demographic audience.
Gifts may be made:
- Online by clicking the buttons 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
Buy a Plank Program
Build a legacy with us! Starting at the corner nearest to the drawbridge on the Historic Jensen Property, the new boardwalk wraps around the entirety of the Museum’s waterfront. Together each plank links the campus, exhibits and waterfront, giving all visitors safe accessibility. Each of your planks will have a personalized recognition plaque fastened to the board and serve as a legacy marker for you, your family, your business, your favorite boat, you name it! You can also choose which Boardwalk area you would like to display your plank. Please consider being part of the story the Boardwalk shares and support the Museum’s continued growth, “step by step” and launch your legacy today with a personalized Boardwalk Plank.
Each plank is a $1,000 donation and can include up to 80 characters of your personalized message. 1 to 5 planks may be purchased per online transaction. For more information or if you would like to purchase more than 5 planks, please contact Brent Paige at brent@mimaritime.org or call (269) 637-8078, ext. 202.
Thank you to the many individuals, families and businesses who have immortalized their legacy for generations to come with a Boardwalk Plank and personalized recognition plaque.
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 Patti Montgomery Reinert, 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 Patti Montgomery Reinert, 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.
