Capital Campaign
Benefits of Giving
The National Museum of American Diplomacy (NMAD) presents a rare opportunity to build an institution dedicated to sharing the story and impact of American diplomacy with the public. The active financial participation of individuals, foundations, and corporations is essential to fulfilling the vision of the Museum. Your support—no matter how large or small—helps cultivate the future of diplomacy and the benefits of international cooperation. The Foundation's capital campaign offers opportunities to make a significant gift that will live on for generations.
There are five levels of major gift-giving, each with its own donor benefits and opportunities. Funds for the building program and/or education programs may be used to recognize corporations, foundations, and individuals commensurate with the level of the gift. Other forms of recognition include:
- Prominent listing on the appropriate Donor Wall or area
- Recognition at major spaces within the Museum
- Recognition for a funded space or endowment gift
- Support for program initiatives, identified with a recognized fund or program
- Invitations to Diplomacy Center Foundation private events and special receptions
- Listing in publications and on the Diplomacy Center Foundation website.
For more information about giving benefits, please contact us.
Levels Of Giving
The capital campaign for the National Museum of American Diplomacy (NMAD) offers many opportunities to make a significant gift that will live on for generations to come. The recognition levels include:
- Secretary's Circle: $2.5 million and above
- Thomas Jefferson Circle: $1 million and above
- Benjamin Franklin Circle: $500,000 and above
- Founders Circle: $250,000 and above
- Ambassadors Circle: $100,000 and above
The variety of naming opportunities provides a broad choice to supporters for associating their name— or the name of someone they wish to honor or memorialize—within the Museum at the US Department of State. Funds for the building and/or education program may be used to recognize individuals, foundations, and corporations commensurate with the level of the gift. Other forms of recognition include:
- Prominent listing on the Donor Wall or appropriate area
- Recognition at major spaces within the Center
- Recognition for a funded space or endowment gift
- Support for program initiatives, identified with a recognized fund or program
- Invitations to private Foundation events and special receptions
- Listing in publications and on both the Foundation and Museum websites
For more information about giving levels and how to contribute, please contact us.
Ways of Giving
There are many ways you can donate to the Diplomacy Center Foundation. While gifts of cash or pledges of cash are desirable to help achieve the goals of the capital campaign, donors may also contribute to the Foundation in many other ways, each offering tax advantages attractive to individual financial planning. The Foundation can help structure a gift plan that realizes the maximum benefit for one’s charitable commitment. All gifts to the Diplomacy Center Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Donors should also consult their personal financial advisors regarding the various options and their technical requirements.
Combined Federal Campaign
The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the official workplace giving campaign of the federal government that allows federal employees and retirees to pledge monetary support to approved charities. The 2021 Campaign season is from September 1, 2021 through January 15, 2022. DCF's designation code is 30585. Learn More AmazonSmile AmazonSmile is an easy way to shop on Amazon and support the Diplomacy Center Foundation. 0.5% of your purchases on smile.amazon.com are donated to the Diplomacy Center Foundation with no additional fees or extra cost to you. Get Started Matching Gifts Donors who serve on corporate boards of directors or work for companies with matching gift programs have opportunities to amplify their gifts through workplace matching gift programs. Learn More CARES Act The 2020 CARES Act provides incentives for charitable giving, which have been recently modified and extended by the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act. Learn More Legacy Giving Legacy giving is an inspiring and flexible way to memorialize your life and support for the National Museum of American Diplomacy. Legacy gifts can benefit a variety of endeavors, from funding an endowed scholarship to securing an exhibit for display. Learn More Qualified Charitable Distributions Beneficial tax planning opportunities, such as qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), draw funds from IRAs without tax consequences, and the donated amount to charity is excluded from income altogether. Learn More Donor-Advised Funds Donor-advised funds provide a flexible giving opportunity for all types of donors. The funds you invest in a donor-advised fund can appreciate, increasing the impact of your future donations. Learn More Appreciated Securities Significant gifts are frequently paid with long-term capital-gain securities. Appreciated assets can often provide donors with attractive income-tax benefits, enabling them to leverage their gifts. Learn More Contact us for more information about how you can contribute to the Diplomacy Center Foundation.
Giving Societies
Founding Ambassadors
Members of the Founding Ambassadors giving society are presidentially appointed US diplomats who have provided a substantial financial contribution to complete the National Museum of American Diplomacy (NMAD). As leaders of the American diplomatic community, Founding Ambassadors are dedicated to developing national recognition for American diplomacy.
This appeal to the generosity and patriotism of former diplomats and their families has, to date, generated over $10 million from 70+ diplomats to sponsor the Founding Ambassadors Concourse. Located beneath Hall I, the Founding Ambassadors Concourse hosts NMAD education programs, public programs, and special events. Ambassador Stuart A. Bernstein (ret.) is chair of the Founding Ambassadors giving society.
Benefits of becoming a Founding Ambassador include recognition in the Founding Ambassadors Concourse and major donor wall and invitations to DCF events and NMAD programs. Founding Ambassadors are also included in DCF's Donor Stories Library. Located at NMAD, the Donor Stories Library shares the story of American diplomacy through our donors' accomplishments, life stories, and photographs. The online version of the Donor Stories Project launched in August 2021.
The Founding Ambassadors giving society recognizes four giving levels:
- Lead Patrons: $1 million and above
- Grand Patrons: $500,000 and above
- Principal Patrons: $250,000 and above
- Patrons :$100,000 and above
See our current list of Founding Ambassadors.
Legacy Ministers
The Legacy Ministers Society is a special appeal to retired and active career Foreign Service personnel, Civil Service personnel, and contractors in foreign affairs agencies. Members of the Legacy Ministers Society have contributed $10,000 or more to the capital campaign to complete NMAD.
We invite all to help build NMAD by donating to the Diplomacy Center Foundation in one of three giving levels. Each level recognizes a gift with the donor’s name in the appropriate space in the Museum. The donor is also included in the Donor Stories Library, where guests can learn more about the individuals who helped to create the Museum.
The Legacy Ministers recognizes three giving levels with the following benefits:
Grand Donors - $50,000 and above- Invitations to all special events
- Private tours of exhibitions led by museum curators
- Feature on the Diplomacy Center Foundation newsletter
- All Principal Donors and Donors benefits
- Invitations to exhibition openings
- Discounted rental fees
- All Donors benefits
- Invitations to programs
- Discounts in the Museum café and gift shop
- Feature on the Diplomacy Center Foundation website
See our current list of Legacy Ministers.
For more information about the Founding Ambassadors or Legacy Minister Societies, please contact us.