DAYTON, Ohio -- When guests visit the new fourth building at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, most will not realize that 100 percent of the $40.8 million building construction costs were privately funded through the fundraising activities, business operations, and investments of the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc.
“The Foundation’s sole purpose is to raise funds and awareness to help support the mission of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force,” stated Michael Imhoff, Executive Director of the Air Force Museum Foundation. He continued, “It’s truly a collaborative team effort. We have a remarkable staff here at the Foundation that works hand in hand with the amazing museum guests and generous corporate supporters on a daily basis.”
Two-thirds of the required funding came from contributions from individuals, members of Friends of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and generous support from businesses and corporations. The remaining one-third came from the revenue generated by business operations of the Air Force Museum Store, Air Force Museum Attractions, like the six-story digital theatre and virtual reality experiences, and the Valkyrie and newly-remodeled Refueling Cafés.
“Every Airman’s story deserves a permanent home so future generations will be able to hear their story. We’re honored to help the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in their mission to provide that home,” shared Colonel Mona R.M. Vollmer, USAF (Ret), Chief Development Officer of the Air Force Museum Foundation. “We were able to provide the private funding for the museum’s fourth building because of the generosity of many individuals, companies, foundations, and community partners. We’re extremely excited about the Grand Weekend Celebration June 11 and 12 and we hope everyone that visits will enjoy the festivities.”
Platinum partner for the Grand Weekend Celebration is Dayton International Airport. Gold partners are Dayton Development Coalition, Dayton Power & Light and Stowers Machinery Corporation. Silver partners include Dayton.com, Pulseworks LLC, AM 1290 and News 95.7 WHIO and WHIO-TV. Bronze partners are Dayton/Montgomery County CVB, Deloitte, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Key Ads, Inc. and Orbit Movers & Erectors, Inc.
About the Air Force Museum Foundation
The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. was established in 1960 as a philanthropic, nonprofit organization to assist the Air Force in the development and expansion of the facilities of the National Museum of the United States Air Force and to undertake and advance programs and activities supporting the museum. For more information on the Air Force Museum Foundation, visit www.airforcemuseum.com.
About the National Museum of the United States Air Force
The National Museum of the United States Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.