Endowment Campaign

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IMA provides capacity building educational programs for those who work and volunteer in Iowa collecting institutions. These programs include STEPS-IMA, IMA Plugged-In, an annual conference, and annual workshop series, among other programs.

IMA provides networking and community building programs to enhance communication and partnership throughout the industry. These programs include Colleague Conversations, IMA e-mail alerts, IMAges quarterly e-newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

IMA provides support for emerging professionals, connecting them with internship opportunities and career advice through the annual Career Conversations program.

The Iowa Museum Association is a private non-profit supported by membership dues, donations & sponsorships, grants, and earned income.

The Iowa Museum Association is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed under the law.

"I am grateful to have the Iowa Museum Association as a partner in training and preparing our future museum leaders."

~Dr. Heidi Lung, Associate Professor of Instruction & Program Coordinator, Museum Studies, The University of Iowa.

"The Iowa Museum Association has been a wonderful resource for me in my career. I've been in marketing and communications for years, but the museum field was new to me. The camaraderie and networking within the field is inspiring and the resources available through the IMA have been tremendously helpful."

~ Wendy Scardino, Director of Marketing & Communications, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium / Dubuque County Historical Society

"IMA provides opportunities for me to connect with, collaborate with, share ideas, and problem solve with museum professionals who know and appreciate the unique challenges and opportunities of the museum field in Iowa. An Iowa specific museum service organization provides resources that are more applicable to my work on a local level than some larger national organizations. We are lucky to have the IMA!"

~ Hannah Frederick, Montauk Historic Site Coordinator, State Historical Society of Iowa

Celebrating 50 Years of Supporting Iowa Museums

In 2026, the Iowa Museum Association (IMA) celebrates 50 years of service to Iowa’s museums and cultural institutions. Since 1976, IMA has worked to strengthen museums, historical societies, and collecting organizations across the state through advocacy, professional development, and connections that help our field thrive.

To mark this milestone—and ensure a strong future—we are completing the final year of our IMA Endowment Campaign.

About the Iowa Museum Association

Founded in 1976, the Iowa Museum Association is the only professional organization dedicated to supporting museums, historical societies, and collecting institutions across Iowa. Today, IMA serves almost 300 museums and the professionals and volunteers who bring them to life.

Through advocacy, professional development, and statewide networking, IMA helps museums preserve and present Iowa’s rich cultural heritage while strengthening their role as educators, community anchors, and economic drivers.

Building the Future

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2026, we are completing a multi-year effort to establish an endowed fund. This permanent fund will provide long-term support for IMA programs, helping ensure the association can continue serving Iowa museums for the next 50 years and beyond.

Your support today helps sustain Iowa’s museums tomorrow.

Support the IMA Endowment

You can help celebrate the Iowa Museum Association’s 50th anniversary in 2026 by supporting the IMA Endowment Fund—ensuring Iowa museums have the resources, advocacy, and connections they rely on for decades to come.

There are many ways to give:

Monthly Gifts
Join the $20.26 Club with a recurring monthly gift in honor of 2026, or choose an amount that works for you.

One-Time Gifts
Make a one-time contribution to the Endowment Fund and be part of this milestone effort.

IRA Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
Direct your RMD to IMA as a Qualified Charitable Distribution to support the Endowment while potentially reducing your tax liability.

Gifts of Stock
Donate appreciated stock or bonds to support IMA’s work while limiting capital gains taxes.

Planned Giving
Include IMA in your will or trust through a percentage, specific amount, or asset, helping sustain Iowa museums for generations to come.

Your support helps complete our Endowment Campaign and establish a permanent fund to serve Iowa’s museums, historical societies, and collecting institutions for the next 50 years and beyond.

📍 Give online or mail your gift to:
Iowa Museum Association
PO Box 56
Marion, IA 52302

For questions about giving, contact [email protected] or 319.239.2236.