2026 Campaign
A message from our President and Board Chair Susan Gabriel Potter
Dear friends,
The Santa Monica History Museum urgently needs your support.
This year, the Museum will not hold its annual fundraising gala—traditionally one of our most important sources of operating support. Without that essential gala revenue, contributions from our members, neighbors, and community partners are more critical than ever.
Like many small cultural institutions, we are facing a serious financial shortfall. Admission and program revenue cover only a fraction of what it costs to keep the Museum open, care for our extraordinary collection, serve researchers and families, and preserve Santa Monica’s history for future generations.
In place of the gala, we are asking our community to contribute directly. If you would ordinarily purchase a ticket, attend as a sponsor, participate in the auction, or make a gift during the event, please consider directing that support to the Museum today.
We have worked hard to operate with a lean staff and limited resources while continuing to expand our impact. Over the past year, we have welcomed new volunteers, re-introduced family activities, presented community programs and pop-up exhibitions, and shared local history beyond our walls. But we cannot sustain this work without greater financial support from the community we serve.
If you believe Santa Monica should have a museum dedicated to preserving and sharing its history, please help us now. Every contribution matters.
You can support the Museum by:
- Making an immediate, tax-deductible donation. Unrestricted gifts are especially important because they help us meet our most pressing operating needs.
- Becoming a member or renewing your membership with our recently revamped program. Membership provides vital annual support while bringing you opportunities to engage deeply and behind-the-scenes with the Museum’s exhibitions, programs, and collections.
- Honoring someone with a leaf on our Legacy Tree. A personalized leaf creates a lasting tribute for a loved one, family, or business.
- Making an annual commitment. Recurring and yearly gifts give the Museum dependable support and help us plan for the future. (Click the check box next to “Show my support by making this a recurring donation.”)
- Including the Museum in your estate plans. A planned gift can create an enduring legacy while helping preserve Santa Monica’s stories for generations to come.
- Sponsoring an exhibition, program, or educational initiative. Business and individual sponsors make ambitious public history projects possible while demonstrating their commitment to the community. We also invite you to explore gallery naming opportunities and our Cultural Partner program on this page.
The Museum safeguards hundreds of thousands of photographs, artifacts, documents, and personal stories that cannot be replaced. This collection belongs to the community—but its future cannot be taken for granted.
We are asking plainly because the need is real: your support today will help determine what the Museum can preserve, present, and provide in the months ahead.
Please give as generously as you can, and consider sharing this appeal with others who care about Santa Monica and its history. Together, we can ensure that the stories of this community are not lost.
With gratitude,
Susan Gabriel Potter, President and Board Chair
P.S. If you would like to discuss sponsorship, a major gift, or including the Museum in your estate plans, please contact Executive Director Anne Wallentine at awallentine@santamonicahistory.org. We would be grateful for the opportunity to speak with you personally.
Tax deductible: One-time or Recurring
Museum, Programs, Education, or Exhibition
Predefined Levels or Custom
Leaf or Name on Wall
Enduring Legacy
The Santa Monica History Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Tax ID: 95-3019295
