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Thank you for your interest in the River Museum. Every donation supports our mission to inspire stewardship by creating educational experiences where history and rivers come alive. 

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution. All charitable contributions toward our work are fully tax-deductible. The Institution's EIN is #42-6072050.

You may donate here or scroll to learn more about various areas of support and how previous gifts, grants, and donations have made an impact.

DONATE NOW

 

 


Vicky Sutter
Director of Donor Engagement
563-557-9545 x276

 


Wendy Scardino
Vice President of Development and Marketing
563-557-9545 x208

IN THIS SECTION

Opportunities to Support

There are many opportunities to drive impact with your donation!

Animals are Amazing!
But, as our world changes, they sometimes need our help!

The River Museum cares for thousands of animals representing over 190 species, many of which are either not releasable into the wild due to prior injury or are breed solely for the purpose of repopulating wild populations of endangered species.

In the early 1900s, North American River Otters were nearly extinct.

Today, the North American River Otter is thriving in Iowa.

 

Donate today!
Annual Support
General operating support.

Annual Fund

We have numerous events and programs perfectly fit to provide meaningful support and great exposure!

Contact Vicky Sutter at 563-557-9545 x276 to find out about timely opportunities.

Captain's Ball
Always a great time, always a great cause.

DCHS logo

Click for More Information  

Friday, November 3, 2023

It’s an evening where the community comes together to celebrate history, science, and conservation.

Theme to be announced at a later date!

 

Conservation
Protecting our waterways and their inhabitants



rivers to the sea 2.0



Conservation efforts

History & Preservation
Preserving and interpreting our rich history.



Mathias ham historic site

Preservation Initiatives

Leave a Legacy
Leave your mark.

estate Giving

Pavers & benches

RiverWorks Discovery
Our national outreach program.

Help educate communities throughout the United States about the commerce, culture, conservation, and careers of the great rivers of America and their watersheds.

LEARN MORE

  • Thank you.

    In appreciation of our donors, the Dubuque County Historical Society and its National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium would like to recognize those who have made significant contributions to our institution's efforts.

    2022 Supporters

  • Donor Rights and Privacy Policy

    To provide the highest level of stewardship to our donors, we are committed to upholding the Association of Fundraising Professional's Donor Bill of Rights. This document lays out the expectations you as our donors can expect from a relationship with the Dubuque County Historical Society and its National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.

    donor PRIVACY POLICY

    Dubuque County Historical Society 990 Forms and Financial Statements
    2019 990 Form  2019 Financials  
    2020 990 Form  2020 Financials
    2021 990 Form  2021 Financials

Your Gifts at Work

Toad-ally Chill

Over the years, APC-an LGI Company and Vanderpoel Conservation Foundation organizations have both chosen to support the propagation of Wyoming Toads through the purchase of a brumation chamber. Classified as "extinct in the wild", the River Museum has been propagating endangered Wyoming Toads since 2007 and anticipates increased success through use of the chamber for hibernation purposes prior to the breeding period.

Rivers to the Sea 2.0

The Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, Association of Zoos & Aquariums Conservation Education Fund and Alliant Energy are all supporting the River Museum's mission to inspire stewardship by creating experiences where history and rivers come alive through Rivers to the Sea 2.0. Recent grants to the institution provided funding to create a Conservation Lab where visitors can see some of the behind-the-scenes work our aquarists conduct on behalf of supporting endangered species. It has also become a place to educate the public about some of our youngest and newest animals.

Supporting Accessibility

The Dubuque Racing Association has made our facility more accessible for those with disabilities through funding for accessible doors in our Mississippi River Center (MRC). These doors help link guests in the MRC to the boatyard, wetland, and plaza areas, enriching and simplifying their visit.

Henderson Chair

Conserving a Piece of Political History

"Premier Bank has been a long-standing supporter in preserving the rich history of Dubuque through iconic objects that depict our past, and also continue to share stories about those who helped make a name for our key city. The Henderson Chair and David B. Henderson’s story are no exception.” - Jeff Mozena, President & CEO of Premier Bank. The Henderson chair, nicknamed for David B. Henderson, was used during his time as Speaker of the House in the 56th and 57th Congresses. Henderson was the first Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from West of the Mississippi. Special thanks to the following donors: Premier Bank/Jeffrey Mozena, Timothy & Nancy Butler, Poppy Conlon & Jason Benson, Fred & Tracy Fischer, Jack & Lynn McCullough, Laura Merrick, Thomas & Charlice Woodward

Give the Gift of Membership!

Give a gift that supports a worthy institution and can also bring friends and family so much enjoyment. Membership is a wonderful present for families with young children who live near a zoo or aquarium. If you are looking for a gift for someone special in your life, consider the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium your museum of choice.

Remember, the Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is affiliated with the Smithsonian and Association of Zoos & Aquariums, which means you and your gift recipients receive discounts to many national museums across the country.

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
For more information about gifts of membership, contact Danelle Schroeder, Memberships & Banquets Coordinator, at 563-557-9545 x220 or dschroeder@rivermuseum.com

Shop AmazonSmile 2 Ways!

The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible smile.amazon.com purchases. Tens of millions of products are eligible for donations. Only purchases made at smile.amazon.com, (not www.amazon.com or the mobile app,) generate AmazonSmile donations.

You may also support the institution through Amazon purchases made from our wish list and donated to the institution! Check out our following wish lists:

ANIMAL ENRICHMENT - WISH LIST  CURATORIAL - WISH LIST
EDUCATION - WISH LIST TECHNOLOGY - WISH LIST   MATHIAS HAM HISTORIC SITE - WISH LIST

Securities

If you own appreciated securities such as stocks, bonds or mutual funds, contributing them to the River Museum is a win-win situation.  First, the long-term charitable contribution deduction is the fair market value. Second, the long-term capital gain is excluded from taxable income. The River Museum receives funds to continue our valuable education and conservation work.

Stock Donation Form
For questions regarding giving gifts of appreciated securities, please contact Vicky Sutter, Director of Donor Engagement, at 563-557-9545 x276.

Matching Gifts

Many employers will match a gift you make to the Aquarium, doubling or even tripling your contribution, including your membership purchase! If you or your spouse work for, or are retired from, a company that has a matching gift program please check to see if your donation qualifies.

Obtaining the matching gift through your employer is usually a simple process typically filling out a form obtained through your Human Resources department.

Your employer can send the matching gift to:
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Attn: Development Dept.
350 E. 3rd St.
Dubuque, IA 52001

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