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How We Do It

The Oberlin Heritage Center receives funding for its programs from a wide variety of sources: membership, annual fund contributions, income from its endowment, income from investments, grants, and fund-raising projects.

Annual Fund

The organization conducts an annual fund campaign each fall to support our ongoing operating expenses which help us to offer programs and tours, pay our staff, preserve our buildings and collections, and support our mission. Contributions are tax deductible and may be made by sending a check payable to the Oberlin Heritage CenterAnnual Fund, P.O. Box 0455, Oberlin, Ohio 44074. We also welcome gifts of stock. For more information, contact our executive director Pat Murphy.

Endowment

Our endowment was established in 1984 by a generous bequest from the late Frederick B. Artz, Oberlin College professor of history. Through careful management, prudent spending and additional contributions, the endowment has grown significantly since its creation. Today, income from the endowment funds about one-third of the operating budget. Thanks to an anonymous donor, the Oberlin Heritage Center has a separate endowment that funds a significant portion of the executive director's salary. Gifts to the endowment ensure the organization's long-term future. Contributions are accepted in several forms, including, of course, cash or check, gifts of life insurance, gifts of stocks, bonds and mutual funds, bequests, and gifts of real estate. For more information, contact our executive director, Pat Murphy or the chairperson of our Development Committee.

Endowment for History Education

A new program, the endowment for history education is intended as an opportunity to support the growth of our professional staff with the new Museum Education and Tour Coordinator position. The Endowment for History Education will help the Oberlin Heritage Center become a stronger resource for area educators, enhance our programming and tours, and expand our outreach work for children and youth.

Grants

We are very grateful to the foundations and government agencies which support us, including:

• The Community Foundation of Greater Lorain County
• The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
• National Endowment for the Humanities
  
• The Nord Family Foundation
• Nordson Corporation Foundation
• The Ohio Humanities Council
• The Richard R. Hallock Foundation
• The Stocker Foundation

See our fact sheet for more information.