TV host Oprah Winfrey recently gave a generous endowment that would benefit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The money was intended for the building of an African-American culture museum on a five-acre site where the museum will stand in the vicinity of the Washington Monument. The endowment was announced by the Smithsonian on Tuesday. Museum officials referred to Winfrey’s gift as a milestone in their fundraising efforts.
When it opens in 2015, the National Museum of African American History and Culture will hope to interpret the “complex narrative arc of the black experience in America.”
Fundraising efforts
Ground was broken for the museum in February 2012. The total cost of the museum’s construction, design, and exhibition was estimated at $500 million. Half of the needed money came from Congressional funding while the remaining half had to be raised by the Smithsonian.
Of the $335 million raised in private and federal funds, more than $140 million were given by nongovernmental sources comprising individuals and corporations. Both the Lilly Endowment and the Gates Foundation donated $10 million. The $12 million donation by Oprah Winfrey to the Smithsonian Institution is the biggest individual donation received by the museum to date.
Proud of African American history
Winfrey’s contribution will be recognized by the Smithsonian by naming a 350-seater theater in the museum after her. She started serving in the advisory council in 2004. She said that she invested in the museum in order to “preserve our culture and history” for the benefit of generations to come. The media mogul highlighted that fact that she was proud of the contributions of African American history to the nation and expressed deep appreciation for those who paved the path as well as those who would follow.
The Oprah Winfrey Network chief executive already gave a $1 million donation to the Smithsonian for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2007.
Much appreciated
Lonnie G. Bunch, the founding director of the museum said that every donation, no matter what amount, is important and appreciated. But Bunch added that “there’s only one Oprah Winfrey.” Bunch said that Oprah is much admired in America and the fact that she is helping people realize its importance is doing a lot for the museum.
A writer for the Chronicle of Philanthropy Maria Di Mento said the donation from Oprah Winfrey, given even before the museum opens, is a vote of confidence and encouragement.
Other more than generous gestures
The endowment from Oprah comes at the wake of other huge donations. On Monday, philanthropist David M. Rubenstein of the Carlyle Group gave a $13.5 million donation to the Foundation for the National Archives. In January of this year, Rubenstein gave the Kennedy Center a $50 million endowment and $10 million in February for the Mount Vernon George Washington Library. In October 2012, Michael Tennenbaum donated $10 million to the Smithsonian and $35 million in May of that year to the National Museum of Natural History. Last year in June, Roger Sant provided a $10 million donation to the National Museum of Natural History’s director’s post.
Photo Credit: Construction site of the National Museum of African American History and Culture
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