Donation Options

Your gift to the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc. supports cultural and educational experiences for more than 85,000 visitors each year. The donation process is easy. Simply select from the options below and designate the amount of your gift. You can also call 920-743-5958 to make a pledge of support.

Do you have an artifact or archival donation you are wishing to contribute to DCMM?
Please review our submission policies and complete our donation form: Donations to the DCMM Collections And Archives.
We do not accept “walk-in” donations. We can not guarantee the safety of any items abandoned at Museum property. 

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we invite you to please review our Donor Bill of Rights.

ANNUAL FUND

ANCHOR APPEAL

As the name implies, the Museum’s annual “Anchor Appeal” is one of our principle fundraising campaigns and is primarily used to help cover the expenses needed to maintain a facility and staff of the highest quality. These general operation funds keep our doors open to the public year-round in Sturgeon Bay, and help our staff operate three seasonal museum properties: the 104-year-old tug John Purves docked on the working waterfront at the Museum in Sturgeon Bay; the iconic Cana Island Lighthouse in Baileys Harbor; and the Death’s Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock.

DONATE TO OUR ANNUAL FUND

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SPONSOR A DAY

Gifts in any amount are appreciated. However, for a $250 donation, you may personally Sponsor a Day at the museum. “Sponsor a Day” is a wonderful way to honor a loved one or recognize a birthday, anniversary or a memory! As a sponsor, you will be recognized at all three museum locations and on our social media channels. You will also receive a support decal for your car window or business entry.

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Print & mail our Sponsor a Day form to tell us the date and wording you would like to share.

ESTATE GIFTS AND PLANNED GIVING

An excellent way to support the Door County Maritime Museum’s mission is to leave a bequest in your will, living trust or with a codicil. Leaving DCMM a bequest in your will or estate plan represents a long-term investment in the financial health of an organization you care about and provides a lasting legacy, continuing the tradition of preserving maritime history that you cherished during your lifetime.

If you are considering a bequest to the Museum, please contact Deputy Director & Development Manager Sam Perlman.
Specific bequest language can be found here: Making a Bequest to DCMM.

If you have already made a bequest to DCMM in your will or estate plan, THANK YOU!
Please download and complete our Statement of Estate or Deferred Gift form and return to Sam Perlman, Deputy Director & Development Manager.

If you have a Traditional IRA with required minimum distributions, consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QDC) to the Door County Maritime Museum.

DONATE TO OUR ENDOWMENT FUND

Create a legacy! Gifts to the DCMM Endowment provide ongoing support of the museum’s day-to-day operations.

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ARTIFACT, PHOTOGRAPH, OR BOAT DONATIONS

The museum continuously seeks Great Lakes artifacts, books, photographs, or boats for the museum’s growing collection. If you would like your donation considered for inclusion, please review our submission policies and fill out our donation form, or call us at 920-743-5958.

Exhibit Development

Donate towards Exhibit Development

Exhibit development costs can range from $250 upwards to $100,000! Each exhibit must be planned a year or more in advance

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