2019 ANNUAL REPORT
EVOLVING
together
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COL SUSAN RICHARDSON, USAF (RET) CHAIR, AIR FORCE MUSEUM FOUNDATION
NEW WAYS OF THINKING I hope you had an opportunity to see “D-Day: Freedom from Above” at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™ last year. The exhibit commemorated the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. It showcased the bravery of the young American paratroopers and the aircrews who delivered them into combat. However, there are two other reasons this exhibit was special to the Museum and the Air Force Museum Foundation. First, it highlights an evolving relationship between the two organizations. Normally, the Museum staff plans the exhibits and educational programs and the Foundation staff focuses on funding for those efforts. In this case, the Foundation brought both the idea of the 3,500 square foot exhibit and the funding for it to the Museum staff, who overwhelming supported the opportunity. Secondly, the D-Day exhibit was unique. For the first time at the Museum, augmented reality technology was used to engage visitors of all ages. Using this technology, visitors were able to virtually follow real soldiers into combat and witness the challenges they faced. Donor support for this cutting-edge technology was key to enabling the Foundation to offer the Museum this immersive and interactive experience for their visitors. Both the Museum and the Foundation viewed the augmented reality exhibit as a test to gauge visitor response. Thanks to donors, like you, it was a huge success. It was particularly heartwarming to see the interaction between generations, as grandkids asked questions of their grandparents. They knew it was more than a game. It was real stories of real soldiers and airmen, told in a way that engaged younger visitors.
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This is just the beginning, as the Museum and Foundation work together to move from robust but static museum displays to more interactive exhibits. Thank you for supporting the evolution of the Foundation’s vision: “Honoring every Airman’s story with a permanent home to inspire future generations.”
VISION
Honoring every Airman’s story with a permanent home to inspire future generations.
MISSION
Raise funds and awareness to support the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force mission. PHOTO AFMF
DAVID TILLOTSON DIRECTOR, NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE™
INTERESTING TIMES... “May you live in interesting times.” Erroneously attributed to being an ancient Chinese curse, the phrase is appropriate for the conditions we find ourselves in as we approach the Summer of 2020. Despite the “interesting times,” I remain positive about the direction the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (NMUSAF) and Foundation staffs have set for our future course. Last year, I said that the two staffs would work together to improve the Museum, both in terms of the kinds of experiences we bring to guests and attendance. While the overall attendance in 2019 continued the downward trend we have seen for the previous five years, the beginning of 2020 seemed to show that changes we made during 2019 were beginning to have the desired effect. The Museum and Foundation staffs established a Joint Events Team to manage use of the Museum as a venue not only for government activities, but also to expand to commercial and private customers. The Foundation provides a single point of entry for any user; events are then managed by the Foundation or handed over to the Museum staff depending on customer and business needs. An instant success in the eyes of the public, we have increased use of the Museum as a venue and attracted diverse customers, from local businesses to the Governor of Ohio. We also supported unique events such as the Miami Valley Sports Car Club Autocross and Micro-Drone races in the Korean War gallery. These, and similar events, have created “buzz” in groups that would not traditionally visit the NMUSAF. The NMUSAF staff is also pursuing new permanent and temporary exhibits. The D-Day exhibit, paid for by the Foundation, generated its own buzz, and many visitors came to see it specifically. Similarly, a temporary exhibit on Canine Warriors created interest not only in visitors interested in military history, but also in people interested in animals. Despite closing to the public, the NMUSAF staff continues to work on new exhibits within the Museum itself. Keep track of us on social media or visit us at nationalmuseum.af.mil.
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A final note. The NMUSAF took aggressive action to reduce expenditures this year to support the Foundation’s capability to maintain its workforce in the face of public shutdown. Having said that, the Foundation owes kudos to their CEO for putting the Foundation in good position to address the crisis by making sound fiscal decisions over the last several years. Looking forward to seeing you on the other side of the CoViD-19 divide.
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MICHAEL IMHOFF CEO, AIR FORCE MUSEUM FOUNDATION
AN AMAZING YEAR Several years ago, we embarked on a course to reposition the Foundation to more effectively connect with our donors, the Museum, visitors, and the communities in which we live, work and serve. And in 2019, we took significant steps toward that goal. We completed our brand refresh, which began with new mission and vision statements in 2017, with the rollout of our new logo. The original logo from 1960 was a staple for the Foundation. Then the “Expanding the Legacy” mark, designed for use with the fundraising campaign for the planned fourth building, had been called into extended service. But we realized we needed to align our visuals with our brand and the new logo looks amazing! The domed shape demonstrates the Foundation’s connection to the Museum’s buildings which have been almost entirely funded through your support. The use of the USAF Star and Bars insignia adopted in 1947 honors the legacy we exist to protect. The stylized “aerospace vehicle” represents motion and that our mission is never complete. Our presentation of “D-Day: Freedom from Above,” the first augmented reality exhibit of its kind in North America, was a first for the Foundation. In partnership with the Museum, this exhibit immersively connected with Museum visitors, young and not-so-young; telling the story of those brave men who jumped into the skies over Normandy in 1944. This game-changing exhibit set the stage for Museum exhibits that will follow. It enabled both the Museum and Foundation to lever real-time data to make effective marketing decisions. It also positioned the Museum and Foundation as thought leaders on the national museum and educational landscape. New Foundation-funded external signage, was installed, giving a fresh look and valuable information to visitors of the Museum. The new signage also coincided with the unveiling of the new logo and look of the Foundation, further linking the Museum and the Foundation as our relationship continues to evolve.
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Finally, the Museum and Foundation entered into a public meetings and events partnership. As we all know, the Museum is a unique place for groups to hold meetings and events. The Foundation has the staff and expertise to manage and organize the spaces. This new arrangement makes holding an event or meeting at the Museum far more accessible for outside groups, and has been an outstanding success over the first few months since it was launched. These are but a few examples of how we continue to evolve and we look to the future with great anticipation.
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IMPACT: EDUCATION
ENGAGING YOUTH BY EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY Educational outreach and special programs are two of the key components of the Museum’s efforts to present the Air Force’s history, heritage, and traditions to a global audience. Thanks to your generous support the Foundation played a central role in those efforts in 2019. Mark Fields, a member for more than 25 years, sent a note with his renewal last year. “It is with pleasure that I make my annual membership donation to the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., to support the fine work of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™.” He supports the Museum because of the experience he had when he first visited the Air Force Museum in May 1969. He and his 7th grade class traveled by bus from west of Cincinnati. “I had a wonderful time,” he remembered. Educating today’s youth about the history and heritage of the USAF remains central to the Museum’s mission, but learning isn’t the same as it was 50 years ago. Many home-schooled students visited the Museum last year and viewed the “D-Day: Freedom from Above” exhibit. Utilizing augmented reality technology, the exhibit (which was entirely funded by donations to the Foundation) immersed visitors in the events of that day in a way no Museum visitor had been before. “Using the Histopad was amazing,” one young home-schooled visitor enthused. “It combined my two favorite things — technology and history,” she continued. “It made it easier to learn because you’re actually interacting with things.” That enthusiasm is exactly what the Museum and the Foundation are looking to encourage in young people. The Museum is studying ways to enhance existing exhibits with immersive technology, and is also exploring bringing in world-class, interactive exhibits on a temporary basis. Evolutionary initiatives like these will require the support of the Friends of the Museum. Thank you for supporting change as we plan for the next 50 years of educating tomorrow’s youth.
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IMPACT: HISTORY
A GLIMPSE AT OUR FUTURE The Living History Film Series has evolved over the past few years. According to Mary Bruggeman, Director, Attractions & Events at the Foundation, the Museum used to have its own lecture series. The Foundation’s series had to be centered around a film so as not to be confused with or compete with, the Museum’s. However, budget constraints led to the cancellation of the Museum’s series. This opened up more opportunities for the Foundation to host innovative events. What was originally a series of movies and documentaries has become a mix of films and live speakers and performers. In order to more accurately reflect the transformation, the name was changed to the Living History Series. It’s influence as an educational tool for the Foundation and the Museum has only increased with the change. Last March, Noa Lewis, a second grader from Georgia, was assigned to do a project on Amelia Earhart and to portray her in a “wax museum.” Noa asked her teacher if she could portray 1920’s barnstorming African American aviator Bessie Coleman instead. Noa joined us for a live, onewoman Living History Series presentation about Bessie Coleman by her great niece, Gigi Coleman. Gigi portrays the story of Bessie to encourage individuals to achieve their dreams, and to inspire youth to be interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It was Noa’s first visit to the Museum and she thought it was “really cool.” “I love seeing history and stuff built in the past,” she said. Noa’s experience only reinforced her natural curiosity. “I hope one day I will work at NASA or something with numbers,” she said. “I’m reading more about Katherine Johnson, Mae Jemison, and I did a report on Marie Curie.”
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Your support of the Foundation enables events such as the Living History Series which influences today’s youth to explore their dreams, and encourages them to consider becoming an aerospace leader of tomorrow. Getting them interested early is key to their success, and Noa is off to a great start.
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IMPACT: HONOR
CONNECTING AND INSPIRING GENERATIONS Learning from the past is essential if we are to evolve. And it is entirely appropriate to also honor those who have suffered failures and achieved success to set the groundwork for us. The Foundation’s Living History Series offers an opportunity to do both at the same time. Brothers Burt and Dick Rutan have blazed a trail through aviation design and operations in their lifetimes. Burt, described by Newsweek as “the man responsible for more innovations in modern aviation than any living engineer,” is an aerospace engineer and visionary designer of 46 individual air and space craft. His brother Dick, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who flew combat in Vietnam, went on to set records as a civilian pilot. Burt designed, and Dick flew, the Voyager — the first aircraft to circle the world non-stop, without refueling. They spoke at a Living History Series event in February 2019. Robert and Carson Dueck, of Canada, are a father and son team who have been involved in the development of experimental aviation, including a series of ornithopters. They have been Friends of the Museum since their first visit five years ago, when they spent a week viewing the aircraft and exhibits, and visiting the restoration hangar. As Friends of the Museum, they heard about the Rutan brothers’ presentation. “We had respected the Rutan brothers from a distance,” the Duecks stated. “The opportunity to meet them in person could not be missed.” Carson works on unconventional aircraft projects, and is a graduate student doing research with a focus on safety. “Meeting the Rutan brothers was exhilarating. We immediately hit it off sharing a passion for aviation,” he said. “They both recounted several experiences and imparted two very valuable principles about safety.”
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“It is important to us to be able to support the Museum’s continued success in enabling public access to its historical exhibits and inspiring the next generation of aviators and aeronautics,” the Duecks concluded. “Along with its special events, the Museum is a great teaching museum giving the next generation many hands-on chances to see, listen and feel, and be inspired by, the world of aviation.”
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IMPACT: LEGACY
A LEGACY OF EVOLUTION The 60-year history of the Air Force Museum Foundation is a history of evolution — the evolution of the Foundation and the evolution of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™ championed by the Foundation. And often the two go hand in hand. Wilma Violet Donley Hatcher, “Vi” to her friends and family, was the first employee of the Foundation. She was hired by Eugene Kettering in 1963, and was part of the Foundation during the planning, construction and move to the new Museum building in 1971 — the building which is the first building in the now four-building Museum campus. Vi visited the Museum last summer and told a story that epitomizes the evolution of the Foundation, thanks to the “can do” attitude of its employees and donors. Shortly after the move, she asked for permission to start a “gift cart.” She said she was authorized $100, “But I didn’t use it. I got things on consignment,” she explained. “We were selling model airplanes to start with. That’s all the Air Force would let us sell at the time. I built glass cases, but I could only get permission to sell airplane models.” However, her customers wanted more, and Vi began working to evolve her merchandise. “I had people coming in from all over the world that wanted souvenirs. They wanted post cards, they wanted brochures of the Museum,” she said. “So, then I got permission to do a brochure on our exhibits.” In her first year Vi said she sold $100,000 worth of merchandise. From those humble beginnings the Air Force Museum Store has evolved into a major source of revenue for the Foundation. Thanks to the support of visitors and Friends of the Museum making purchases, the store had a near-record $3.3 million in sales in 2019. And the biggest seller in the store? The Aircraft Catalog, one of the two publications the store sells that are direct descendants of the brochure Vi developed nearly 50 years ago.
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2019 FINANCIALS
OPERATING UNITS 2019 Operating Revenue from the Air Force Museum Store, Cafés and Attractions exceeded Operating Expenses by just over $820,000. 2019 Operating Revenue was 2 percent higher than 2018, with an 11 percent increase in Operating Expenses over the same period.
OPERATING REVENUE:
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Other $8,895
Café $443,854
Café $36,040
$5,485,526
Museum Store $3,345,051
General & Admin $482,518 Other $175,364
Attractions $1,687,726
Cost of Goods Sold $1,354,331
$4,663,006
Advertising/ Marketing $237,375 Attractions Operations $575,469
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Compensation & Benefits $1,801,909
2019 FINANCIALS
NON-OPERATING UNITS The Foundation’s non-operating revenue includes donations, investment income and interest/dividends. 2019 Non-Operating Revenue exceeded Non-Operating Expenses by almost $650,000. 2019 Non-Operating Revenue was 41 percent lower than 2018, with an 11 percent increase in Non-Operating Expenses over the same period.
NON-OPERATING REVENUE:
Other $4,886
Investment Income $332,668
$1,978,667
NON-OPERATING EXPENSES:
Development $1,641,113
Other $164,040
$1,329,463
Museum Program Support $405,008
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Compensation & Benefits $544,269
Advertising Marketing $86,638
General & Administrative $129,508
GENEROUS DONORS The asterisk below indicates the donor is deceased.
LEGACY SOCIETY The Legacy Society was established to acknowledge and thank the many friends who have remembered and supported the Air Force Museum Foundation with their future charitable giving and estate planning. Their dedicated support ensures that the Air Force story will be preserved to inspire future generations to service, and to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. If you would like information about planned gift opportunities, or to be included in the Legacy Society, please contact Megan Rehberg at mrehberg@afmuseum.com or 937.255.3855. You can also visit our legacy giving website at afmuseumlegacy.org.
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Jacqueline Adkins Anonymous (6) Mr. Robert Banks* Edward J. Baraw Alfred J. Barbano Jr. Mr. Larry Beaty B. Michael Beck Lawrence Behle* Joanne Bennett* Albert Pretzinger Beust* Mr. Thomas Henry Blakey* Mr. Homer K. Bowen Jr.* Mr. Harold Bragg* John J. Briggs, USAF (Ret) David and Trudy Brown Col Mark N. Brown, USAF (Ret) Mrs. James J. Brown MSgt Gerald L. Buit, USAF (Ret) Col Jack Buzbee, USAF (Ret)* Bruce and Karen Campbell Robert W. Charni* William G. Coleman Richard Cronk* Col Dennis Crouch, USAF (Ret) Maj Gen Terrance L. Dake, USAF (Ret) Mr. Bob Dana Thomas L. Davis, Trustee, for the LVD Charitable Trust Evelyn F. Degutis* Laurence Holmes Dorcy Jr.*
Pierre R. Fath Robert M. and Pamela K. Foose Joanne Fox Mr. John Gardella Lt Col Robert M. Gelpke, USAF (Ret) Ms. Mabel Glaser* Dr. Morris W. Goldberg* Mr. Edgar B. Gottschalk* Leonard Gramith Mr. Don Gray Mrs. Renee Gregory Stewart A. Griest Jr.* Ms. Ruby L. Grill* Mr. James C. Guy* Mick Hanou CDR Robert P. Harper Jr., USN (Ret) Mr. Paul M. Hawk* Gerald B. Hawkins Jon and Marjorie Hazelton Mr. Robert Hellmers William Henderson* Richard C. and Cheryl D. Henry Lt Col John R. Henry, USAF (Ret)* Mr. Jack Hoffman* Charles J. Hotaling Jr.* MSgt David K. Howells* Erik P. Humlie Col Richard M. Hutchins, USAF (Ret) Jerry and Marsha Irwin Harold A. and Madeline R. Jacobs* Robert C. Jacoby Curt and Norma Jerauld Lt Col Paul Kari Mr. Everett Kazup*
Mr. David Kiefer Lester Ray King Jr.* Mr. Donald Kitterman* Mr. Fred Koors* Lawrence Krupianik Pete and Rita Lane William D. LaPlace John R. Lee Paul H. Lilly, MD, MPH, Col, USAF, MC, CFS, (Ret) Lt Col David London, USAF (Ret) Henry Ludwig* Mr. Eugene Lynch* Mr. Donald Lynch* J. Patrick McCarthy* CMSAF Rodney McKinley, USAF (Ret) Mr. Leon Mensing Allan and Elizabeth Meredith* Steven M. Miller Richard and Crescent Emma Miller Capt Ronald Nass* Richard J. and LuAnn W. Noll SSgt Frank W. Novak Mr. Joseph O’Brien* Charlie Osborn Lt Col Ralph Owens Michael Perigo Cy A. Pierquet Edward Potter Mr. Michael Prince
Laurel and Lawanda Prince* Mr. Larry Reser Mr. Ronald Resh* Lt Col Richard Rinebolt* TSgt Eugene Robertson* and Col Jean Chambers CMSgt Albert J. Scheibly, USAF (Ret)* James B. Schepley John Scherer* MSgt Gerard Scholl, USAF (Ret) Jerold T. Selle Mr. Robert Sherman* Tim Shermer, Maj (Ret), Raleigh Police Department William Smith Jr. Robert T. and Mildred L. Smith Mr. Thomas Somermeier* Robert and Audrey Sparrow* Earl C. Spohr Jude D. Steele
Lt Col Douglas D. Stewart Sr., USAF (Ret)* Robert P. Stewart C. Joseph Styles James Sullivan Lt Col David Sussman, USAF (Ret) Mr. Merrill Thruston* Raymond J. Tomory Barry L. Tracey Charles and Terri Trent Ronald J. Ulishney Joseph and Pamela Venditti Robert and Christina Waldvogel* Walter M. Williams Jr.* James F. Wright* Lt Col William R. Young
CORPORATE PARTNER The Air Force Museum Foundation would like to formally thank Lockheed Martin Corporation for completion of their $10M pledge in support of the 4th building construction. Their gift was the single largest gift to the project.
BOARD MEMBERS
AIR FORCE MUSEUM FOUNDATION, INC.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR
Col Susan E. Richardson, USAF (Ret) PRESIDENT
Dr. Pamela A. Drew VICE PRESIDENT
Lt Gen C.D. Moore II, USAF (Ret) SECRETARY
CMSAF Gerald R. Murray, USAF (Ret) TREASURER
Brig Gen Paul R. Cooper, USAF (Ret) Mr. Stan Askren Col James F. Blackman, USAF (Ret) Mr. John G. Brauneis Dr. Thomas J. Burns, PhD Mr. Roger D. Duke Ms. Frances A. Duntz Ms. Anita Emoff Col Frederick D. Gregory Sr., USAF (Ret) Mr. Benjamin T. Guthrie Mr. James L. Jennings Mr. Scott L. Jones Mr. Ki Ho Kang
Dr. Thomas J. Lasley II Mr. Scott E. Lundy Maj Gen Edward (Ted) P. Maxwell, USAF (Ret) Maj Gen Brian C. Newby, USAF (Ret) Gen Gary L. North, USAF (Ret) Mr. Edgar M. Purvis Jr. Maj Gen Frederick F. Roggero, USAF (Ret) Mr. Philip L. Soucy Mr. Robert J. Suttman II, CFA Dr. Andrea Townsend Mr. Randy Tymofichuk
EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
Col Mark N. Brown, USAF (Ret) Mr. James F. Dicke II Mr. Charles J. Faruki Col William S. Harrell, USAF (Ret) Maj Gen E. Ann Harrell, USAF (Ret) Mr. Jon G. Hazelton Mr. Charles F. Kettering III Mr. Patrick L. McGohan Lt Gen Richard V. Reynolds, USAF (Ret) Gen Charles T. Robertson, USAF (Ret) Mr. R. Daniel Sadlier Col James B. Schepley, USAF (Ret) Mr. Scott J. Seymour Mr. Harry W. (Wes) Stowers Jr.
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THE AIR FORCE MUSEUM FOUNDATION, INC.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY! There are many ways you can keep up-to-date with what’s going on at the Air Force Museum Foundation, and have your say. Your voice matters! Join us on Facebook @airforcemuseumfoundation Follow us on Instagram @airforcemuseumfoundation Follow us on Twitter @AFMFoundation 1100 Spaatz St., PO Box 33624 Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433 937.258.1218
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The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., is a Section 501 (c)(3) private, non-profit organization incorporated under Ohio law. It is not part of the Department of Defense or any ot its components, and has no government status. The use of the Roundel image in the Foundation’s logo is with the permission of the United States Air Force; endorsement by the Department of Defense or the United States Air Force in fundraising activities of the Foundation is not intended nor implied pursuant to DoDI 5535.12.