CENTENNIAL DIRECTIONS 



Instructor Mary Ann Bloom with schoolchildren in the Pawnee Earth Lodge, Field Museum's full-size replica of an 1830s Indian dwelling. In 

 J985 more than 4, 500 school groups visited the Museum to augment their studies. William Burlingham photo. 



years ago the endowment accounted for 80 percent of 

 our income; today it provides approximately 20 percent. 

 And the costs of maintaining an excellent institution 

 have risen. Thirty years ago computers and sophisticated 

 equipment were not required for research, and exhibits 

 were less complex. To meet this fiscal challenge, we 

 must be imaginative in searching for income and in 

 supporting appropriate programs. Even so, our resources 

 will always be finite, and it will always be necessary to set 

 expenditure priorities. As part of this effort, we must 

 systematically project operating and capital budgets on a 

 five-year basis. 



To achieve fiscal soundness, Field Museum must 

 maintain and increase its sources of support (Exhibit 9, 

 page 22). Continued major support from the Chicago 

 Park District is essential along with support from the 

 State of Illinois. We must maintain the endowment's 

 current percentage of our support through capital contri- 

 butions and investment management, which will pro- 

 vide needed operating funds and long-term endowment 

 growth. 



Earned income must grow through increased atten- 

 24 dance, expanded store and food sales, and enlarged 



special events activities. Also essential is imaginative 

 and careful administration of the budget to permit max- 

 imum investment opportunities for current income. 



In addition, to strengthen its financial stability 

 Field Museum must form partnerships with comparable 

 institutions so as to share staff and equipment and to 

 reduce costs through pooling. In concert with peer insti- 

 tutions, Field Museum must make the case that natural 

 science collections and research play a vital role in our 

 nation in order to secure government and foundation 

 support. 



Notwithstanding the need to increase operating 

 support from granting agencies, investments, and other 

 earnings, Field Museum's future is dependent upon the 

 private donor. We will continue to rely heavily on the 

 private donor for annual support, and we will rely 

 principally on the private donor for capital support. 



To achieve the goals established for the future of 

 Field Museum, the Board of Trustees has undertaken a 

 three-year capital campaign to raise $40 million. This 

 capital campaign is key to achieving the goals of our 

 centennial planning process. The campaign has four 

 crucial elements: 



