CMNH Receives Major Gift for Capital Campaign
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History recently received a gift totaling $2.25 million dollars from the family of Larry and Sally Sears of Hunting Valley.
This is the third major contribution to the Museum and its campaign from the Sears family, who previously funded the construction of the Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears Garden, completed in 2016. A $2 million gift will serve as an investment in renewing the Museum’s campus to further serve the community. An additional $250K will support the renovation of an existing space in the Museum to create a science news and communication station that will open by the Museum’s centennial in 2020.
“We enthusiastically believe in the Museum’s mission, its strong leadership and its path forward,” said Museum Trustee Sally Sears. “We hope our contribution will inspire others in the community to show their support for the Museum.”
“The Museum’s transformation,” she added, “through updated exhibits and programming and continued focus on research and science education will strengthen its already significant impact on the Northeast Ohio community.”
In 2016, the Museum completed the first phase of its vision to transform its University Circle campus with the opening of a new 300-space attached parking garage, the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden–Presented by KeyBank, and the publicly accessible Sears Garden featuring the famous Mammoth and Mastodon sculptures by Viktor Schreckengost—all of which have helped draw in record crowds over the past two years.
“We are so thrilled by the generosity of Sally and Larry Sears,” said Sonia Winner, Museum President & CEO. “They truly understand and support the important mission of this institution.”
“Our Centennial Transformation is not about building a new building,” Ms. Winner continued, “it is about best serving the community for the next 100 years. This means timely science communication, innovative programming, excellence in research, and an enhanced visitor experience. The Sears gift will help us immediately start fulfilling this plan.”
The Museum is currently finalizing updates to its transformation plans, which will include new and renovated spaces, and is in active development of major exhibits and programming to celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2020.
“We have had so much positive momentum over the last few years, and we’re enthusiastic about the prospects for the next phase of the project,” said Board of Trustees Chair Jon Grimm. “It is incredible to know that our passion for this institution’s mission, and excitement for its future, are shared with outstanding members of the Northeast Ohio community like the Sears family. We could not be on this path forward without this kind of community support.”
ABOUT THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, incorporated in 1920, is one of the finest institutions of its kind in North America. It is noted for its collections, research, educational programs and exhibits. The collections encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, and research of global significance focuses on 10 natural science disciplines. The Museum conserves biological diversity through the protection of more than 10,000 acres of natural areas. It promotes health education with local programs and distance learning that extends across the globe. www.cmnh.org
The mission of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s is to inspire, through science and education, a passion for nature, the protection of natural diversity, the fostering of health and leadership to a sustainable future.