Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden Anniversaries Fundraising Campaign
Donate to the campaign here.
2024 is an exciting year in the history of the Colonial Dames of America. It marks the 225th anniversary of the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden building’s construction, the 100th anniversary of the building purchase by CDA, and the 85th anniversary of the public museum. This summer we will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the museum’s prestigious Hearst Fellowship program.
We are celebrating these important anniversaries with a yearlong fundraising campaign with the goal to raise a minimum of $200,000 to support the MVHM&G and all of the Society’s initiatives. Beginning now, any donation, including donations to the annual year end appeal, may be designated for the MVHM&G Anniversaries Fundraising Campaign.
The MVHM&G Anniversaries Fundraising Campaign and celebrations will culminate at the 2025 Garden Party, to be held on the Sunday of the Annual Meeting weekend. Plans are in formation to have a bronze plaque in the museum recognizing all donors contributing $2,500 or more to the campaign; recognized donors may be individuals, chapters, or any organization contributing to the Anniversaries Fundraising Campaign. Planned recognition levels for the bronze plaque include: $2,500-$4,999; $5,000-$9,999; $10,000-$19,999; $20,000-$29,999; $30,000+.
All donors to the campaign will be recognized and thanked in a printed program at the 2025 Garden Party. Printed recognition materials will reflect donors’ pledged commitment and names will be added to the plaque at the appropriate recognition level once the commitment has been fulfilled. Donations to the campaign not otherwise designated will be unrestricted donations to the Society which wholly owns and operates the museum. Donors to the campaign may designate their funds, if they choose, just as they may with donations made in any year.
The recognition level for each donor will be determined by their total contributions to the MVHM&G Anniversaries Fundraising Campaign, e.g., if funds are donated to the campaign in 2023 and 2024, the amounts will be added for the purposes of donor recognition materials. Those wishing to make a larger pledge with installments paid over an extended period (up to three years), please submit this pledge form to Jack Youngblut at [email protected]. Any donor who wishes to remain anonymous may do so.
There will be a MVHM&G Anniversaries Gala on April 27, 2024. All proceeds from the gala will support the MVHM&G Anniversaries Fundraising Campaign. The entire purchase price of any gala ticket at any level will count towards a donor’s total for purposes of all donor recognition materials, e.g., if a donor gives $1,000 toward the campaign in 2023, $2,500 in 2024, and purchases one $1,500 Benefactor ticket, their campaign total for recognition purposes will be $5,000. (Please note: the tax deductible portion of each gala ticket is the amount over $200, not the entire purchase price.)
Plans are also in formation to recognize chapters who have 50% participation rate in the Anniversaries Fundraising Campaign and special recognition for chapters reaching 60% or higher member participation. Donations of any amount, including gala ticket purchases and support, will count towards the chapter participation percentage.
Chapters or individuals who wish to sponsor particular MVHM&G projects and initiatives should please reach out to chairman Anna Rich at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.