Introduction to Museum Endowments (Spring 2024) - Online Course

Introduction to Museum Endowments (Spring 2024) - Online Course

  • Registration Closed

Course Description:

The establishment and management of endowment funds is a key source of institutional income and donor engagement for many museums. Many museum professionals and trustees, however, are less than confident in their understand of the components of endowment funds, and how best to effectively manage such funds for internal and external purposes. This course is designed to introduce students to the structure, benefits, and challenges of endowment fund management, from basic terms and definitions to topics such as impact investing and best practices.

Participant Outcomes:

At the end of this course you will: 

  • Understand the basic structure of the endowment and best practices of fund management;
  • Determine the process by which endowment spending supports operations and special projects;
  • Comprehend the endowment and its relation to donor stewardship cultivation and stewardship;
  • Consider impact investing options and advocacy.

 

Sample Curriculum:

Week 1: Course overview and introduction to endowments

Week 2: The endowment and financial planning

Week 3: The endowment and donor relations

Week 4: Strategies and recommendations for impact investing

 

Texts Used:

Required: Endowment Essentials for Museums, Rebekah Beaulieu, 2022.

Texts are NOT INCLUDED with your registration. You must order the book separately from the book seller of your choice. A discount code for Rowman & Littlefield will be included in your registration confirmation.

Details:

COURSE DATES: March 11 - 8, 2024

COST: $175 AASLH Members / $275 Nonmembers / 10% discount for STEPS participants with promo code found in the online STEPS Community or by emailing learn@aaslh.org

OPEN REGISTRATION: December 1, 2023 - March 8, 2024 - 20 participant limit

Course Logistics:

FORMAT: Online, weekly-paced course

LENGTH: 4 weeks

PARTICIPATION STYLE: Weekly real-time online office hours; weekly assignments; final course assignment; Students should expect to spend 2-5 hours per week on the course.

MATERIALS: One recommended text; supplemental reading materials available and not required.

Who Should Take This Course:

Designed for trustees, museum professionals, and students considering museum careers, this course is for anyone who aims to build a skill set of financial knowledge. While especially relevant for institutional leaders, fundraisers, and financial professionals (or those who wish to attain such knowledge for the future), the course is intended for participants of all skill levels and backgrounds, regardless of financial responsibilities or knowledge.

How to Register

Click here for instructions on how to register yourself or another user for this event. 

Rebekah Beaulieu, Ph.D. is the Louise Taft Semple President & CEO of the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati, Ohio. She previously served as Director of Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Connecticut and as Associate Director of the Bowdoin College Museum of Art in Brunswick, Maine. Becky is Treasurer of AASLH and chair of its Finance Committee, and is an AAM Accreditation Commissioner for the American Alliance of Museums. Becky is the author of Financial Fundamentals for Historic House Museums (2017) and Endowment Essentials for Museums (2022). She holds an M.A in Art History and Museum Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and in Arts Administration from Columbia University; she earned her Ph.D. in American and New England Studies at Boston University.

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Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

If you have any questions, please contact AASLH Professional Development staff at learn@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
Course Overview
Required Reading Schedule
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Weekly Schedule of Required Readings Week One: Endowment Essentials for Museums, chapter one Week Two: Endowment Essentials for Museums, chapter two and pages 37-45 Week Three: Endowment Essentials for Museums, chapter four Week Four: Endowment Essentials for Museums, chapter five
You must register to access.
Week 1 - March 11 - 17
Introduce Yourself
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Enter an introduction of yourself and the museum or cultural organization to which you are connected. Be sure to indicate where you are located (with the time zone), why you are working with this organization and what do you enjoy doing there. Tell us briefly about the organization’s focus and about the community in which it is located. What has brought you to this course? If possible do this during the first week and get it uploaded by mid week. Read the introductions from others in the course.
You must register to access.
Week 1 Lesson
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Week 1 Required Reading - Endowment Essentials for Museums, chapter one
You must register to access.
Week 1 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Do you have experience with endowment management? In what ways have you contributed to the establishment or maintenance of an endowment? What do you find challenging or confusing about endowments?
You must register to access.
Week 1 - Supplemental Reading #1 - Creating and Building Endowments for Small Museums
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 1 - Supplemental Reading #2 - How Do US Art Museums Finance Their Operations
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 1 Assignment - Due MARCH 17
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Week 2 - March 18 - 24
Week 2 Lesson
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Required Reading for Week 2: Endowment Essentials for Museums, chapter two and pages 37-45
You must register to access.
Week 2 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Consider your current institution, or imagine you are part of one if not currently. In what ways would you encourage communication between different team members to best understand how to manage a particular restricted fund; for example, how could the team work together to establish and manage a fund for exhibitions? In what ways does (or could) your museum share responsibility regarding endowment management? What challenges do you face and how could you respond to them?
You must register to access.
Week 2 - Supplemental Reading #1 - What's the Connection Between Financial Capital and Museum Education
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 2 - Supplemental Reading #2 - With Endowment, Art History Classics Library Builds Bridges Across Time, Space, Politics
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Assignment 2 - DUE March 24
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Week 3 - March 25 - 31
Week 3 Lesson
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Endowment Essentials for Museums, chapter four
You must register to access.
Week 3 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. What would you consider important skills in communicating with donors, in regard to endowments or in general? What are some ways that you can align donor wishes and institutional priorities? If you have an example, please feel free to share.
You must register to access.
Week 3 - Supplemental Reading #1 - Basic Endowment Donation Concepts For Small Cultural Organizations
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 3 - Supplemental Reading #2 - Endowment Announcement Example
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 3 - Supplemental Reading #3 - Endowment Campaign Example
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 3 Assignment - DUE MARCH 31
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Week 4 - April 1 - 7
Week 4 Lesson
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Endowment Essentials for Museums, chapter five
You must register to access.
Week 4 Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. What are some options for impact investing that may be work exploring at your museum? If you are not currently affiliated with an institution, what priorities would you set in exploring options? Think about the future of impact investing and museums. What do you imagine will be different about how museums manage their endowments? What will be the same?
You must register to access.
Week 4 - Supplemental Reading #1 - Cultural Capital: The State of Museums and Their Investing
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 4 - Supplemental Reading #2 - Just a Third of Museums Are Investing Their Endowments in Socially Responsible Ways, a Study Found
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 4 - Supplemental Reading #3 - Museum Donors Need to Examine Where Endowments Are Invested
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 4 Assignment - DUE April 7
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Course Survey and Certificate of Completion
Course Survey
13 Questions
13 Questions Please note the survey must be completed and a passing grade must be achieved before the Certificate of Completion is available.
You must register to access.
Certificate of Completion
1 Small Museum Pro! Certificate Credit credit  |  Certificate available
1 Small Museum Pro! Certificate Credit credit  |  Certificate available Successful completion of this course (80% or higher) will earn one credit toward the Small Museum Pro! certificate from AASLH.
You must register to access.

Office Hour Schedule

The instructor will hold a weekly office hour through Zoom. These are optional to attend and will not be recorded. Below is the schedule and Zoom information to join. 

  • Thursday, March 14 at 11AM Eastern, 10AM Central, 9AM Mountain, 8AM Pacific
  • Thursday, March 21 at 11AM Eastern, 10AM Central, 9AM Mountain, 8AM Pacific
  • Thursday, March 28 at 11AM Eastern, 10AM Central, 9AM Mountain, 8AM Pacific
  • Thursday, April 4 at 11AM Eastern, 10AM Central, 9AM Mountain, 8AM Pacific

Zoom Access

Zoom Link: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86711826041?pwd=d3RUMDhaMzdzY1lZM09UMUxSaHVZUT09#success