Thank you. Two words that hold immense meaning to our staff. Your support allows us to educate youth, save and protect species, preserve and interpret history, care for an amazing array of animals, engage visitors of all ages, and inspire action for the care and keeping of our river history and life.
We enjoy saying thank you to our donors in a multitude of ways. One of those ways is by recognizing your contributions through our giving societies.
Donors qualifying for one of these giving societies will be listed on our digital donor wall on the campus of our National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in the Mississippi River Discovery Center. The digital donor wall is intended to provide an opportunity for guests and visitors to digitally engage with our donors and learn more about what drives their support.
For more information on our digital donor wall, please contact Vicky Sutter, Director of Donor Engagement, at vsutter@rivermuseum.org or 563-557-9545 x276.
Giving Societies
Richard Herrmann Lifetime Giving Society
Founded to honor those supporters of the Dubuque County Historical Society and its properties and programs whose tremendous lifetime generosity has remarkably transformed and accelerated the efforts of this institution’s mission.
Just as Richard Herrmann’s collection became the foundation for the Dubuque County Historical Society’s collections, so too are the gifts from our lifetime giving society supporters foundational to our mission.
Diamond Circle: $1,000,000+
Platinum Circle: $500,000
Gold: $250,000
Silver: $100,000
Bronze: $50,000
Legacy Society
Established to honor those who have made planned gifts to the Dubuque County Historical Society and its properties and programs, members of the Legacy Society have demonstrated a deep commitment to the organization’s mission and vision for the future. Their legacy will live on in our mission.
Donors who have made planned gifts such as bequests, life insurance beneficiary designations, retirement plan beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable lead trusts are all honored in this category.
If you would like to be included in our Legacy Society, please complete the intent form below and return the form to Wendy Scardino, VP of Development & Marketing, at wscardino@rivermuseum.org or mail to Attn: Wendy Scardino, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium/Dubuque County Historical Society, 350 East Third Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001.
Endowment Society
Future generations will benefit from the foresight and vision of our Endowment Society donors. These donors are ensuring youth and families will continue to benefit from all the Dubuque County Historical Society has to offer through its National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Mathias Ham Historic Site, National Rivers Hall of Fame, and RiverWorks Discovery.
Gifts to endowment are set aside for long-term support. Only the income, or a portion of the income, is available annually to support the organization—allowing the principal to remain and grow in perpetuity.
Annual Donors
Annual donors provide foundational support to the Dubuque County Historical Society and/or its properties, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, and Mathias Ham Historic Site, to continue our mission to inspire stewardship by creating educational experiences where history and rivers come alive.
Annual donors support programming, education, animal care, interpretation, exhibits, events, conservation, and stewardship activities not covered by daily admissions. Additionally, annual givers support admissions and programming to underserved populations—on-site at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and Mathias Ham Historic Site, and off-site through outreach programming.
Riverworks Discovery Annual Donors
RiverWorks Discovery is a national outreach program of the National Rivers Hall of Fame, located at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Its purpose is to educate communities about the commerce, culture, conservation, and careers of the great rivers of America and their watersheds.
Donors to RiverWorks Discovery are committed to continuing to create awareness and appreciation for our rivers, our river history, and river industry throughout the country through educational events and outreach.