Donate to NHMU

Contribute Now to Make a Gift Supporting the Natural History Museum of Utah

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NHMU programming includes opportunities for guests of all ages to interact with staff, volunteers, Museum specimens, and more.

The Natural History Museum of Utah is committed to offering world-class, science-based programming that matches the extraordinary quality of its incredible home, the Rio Tinto Center.

Gifts and donations are essential to sustaining the Museum's suite of essential science and education programs — programs that enhance the quality of life for Utahns throughout our state and visitors from around the country.

See below for different ways to donate and support the work of NHMU, or contact our Philanthropy Team - we're happy to help.

You can donate and make a gift to NHMU in one of several ways:

  • Online by clicking here
  • Online by using the University's secure, online giving site
  • Via US Mail by sending a contribution to NHMU Annual Fund, 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
  • Over the phone, via stock transfer, or by wire. For help, contact Chris Eisenberg, NHMU's Director of Philanthropy, at (801) 585-1437 or Kiley Morgan, Manager, Philanthropy & Major Gifts, at 801-585-3908.

Thank you for your generous support!


Annual Fund

A tax-deductible gift to NHMU's Annual Fund is an awesome way to support the wide variety of initiatives that make NHMU such a vital part of our community.

You can also make a gift in honor of someone or in memory of a loved one.

Click here to give online.


Museum Membership

One of the easiest ways to support NHMU is to become a Museum Member. Click here to learn more about Membership, or to join today.


Copper Club

Copper Club members receive a full range of curated experiences, like concierge service to design a one-of-a-kind Museum visit, expert-guided trips to remarkable Utah destinations, special opportunities to meet our scientists, and much more. Contributions begin at $1,000.

More information available here, or contact us at 801-585-7119 or by email. 

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Legacy Gifts

It's easy to support NHMU in your will or as part of your estate planning. 


Gifts in Honor of Margo Silvester

To make a gift in memory of longtime Museum friend and supporter Margo Silvester, please contact NHMU Director of Philanthropy Chris Eisenberg at (801) 585-1437 or click here to give online (be sure to note the gift is in memory of Margo Silvester.) Gifts will be added to the Margo Silvester Endowed Fund for Excellence benefiting student employees at the Natural History Museum of Utah. The Margo Silvester Endowed Fund for Excellence was established in 2018 in honor of Margo’s lifelong curiosity of the natural world and her fierce belief in the power of education to transform lives.


A Climate of Hope

NHMU has just launched a major new initiative, A Climate of Hope, which includes a brand-new permanent exhibition. 

This landmark exhibition is designed to help Utahns find opportunity in the face of the climate crisis. We’re poised to tell stories of climate progress happening every day. We’re eager to give visitors the tools they need to tackle these challenging issues. We’re ready to inspire the rational hope needed to forge lasting solutions to the climate crisis. And we hope you will make a gift to help make it possible. Click here to learn more and make a gift today


The Sarah B. George Director's Innovator Fund

After nearly 27 years of service as NHMU's Executive Director, Dr. Sarah B. George has concluded her work with the Museum. To commemorate Sarah's tremendous service — and set up our new Executive Director, Dr. Jason Cryan, up for success — a number of Sarah's colleagues and friends established this endowed fund in her honor. Sarah's bold vision helped create the remarkable Museum we all love today. In this spirit, the Sarah B. George Director's Innovation Fund will provide Jason with the opportunity to foster — and support — bold new ideas that will power NHMU into the future. Please contact NHMU Director of Philanthropy Chris Eisenberg at (801) 585-1437 or click here to learn more and give online (be sure to note the gift is in honor of Sarah). 


Gifts in Honor of Mike Getty

To make a gift in memory of Mike Getty, the truly remarkable Paleontology Collections Manager and Chief Preparator at NHMU, please click here. To honor Mike Getty's wonderful legacy, we have established an endowment in Mike's name. Your gift will be added to the Mike Getty Vertebrate Paleontology Fund, which will be used to support vertebrate paleontology fieldwork and research at the NHMU. An endowed fund at the University allows the Natural History Museum of Utah to continue to achieve excellence in vertebrate paleontology.


Gifts in Honor of Ann Kelsey

On August 16, 2013 the Natural History Museum of Utah lost a dear friend and team member when Ann Kelsey, the Collections Manager of the Museum's Garrett Herbarium, passed away. We were deeply honored that Ann invited friends and loved ones to make a contribution to the Natural History Museum of Utah in her memory. Please click here for information. Gifts made in Ann's memory will be dedicated for use in the herbarium, advancing the work she cared so passionately about.

Other options

Donating Objects to the Museum's collections

Under certain circumstances, the Museum accepts object donations to the collections. Click here if you'd like to learn more about that process