series of behind-the-scenes tours, this year welcomed 70 Con- 

 tributing Members for an insider's look at exhibition develop- 

 ment at the Office of Exhibits Central, a curator's perspective 

 on the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology 1 , Gems, and 

 Minerals at the National Museum of Natural History, a concert 

 on a classic piano in the National Museum of American History's 

 Hall of Musical Instruments, and an opporrunity to explore the 

 Smithsonian Institution Libraries' rare-book collection. 



In September, the Contributing Membership introduced a 

 second behind-the-scenes tour series, "Smithsonian Focus," 

 concentrating on a specific aspect of the Institution. This 

 year's program, "Smithsonian Architecture: Preserving Our 

 Buildings for Today and Tomorrow," brought 20 participants 

 to Washington for an in-depth look at our buildings: their 

 preservation, their role in housing our collections, and their 

 stature as works of art. 



In addition to their dues, Contributing Members gave 

 generously to special needs. This year was one of the strongest 

 ever for generating unrestricted support for research and 

 education initiatives. Many Contributing Members also 

 strengthened their support by upgrading their memberships 

 to higher levels, such as the James Smithson Society. 



James Smithson Society 



Research at the Institution requires a commitment for the 

 long haul, so that Smithsonian scholars can put emerging 

 knowledge into perspective over many years. The unrestricted 

 gifts of the James Smithson Society are one important means 

 of sustaining this commitment. This year, the society's 450 

 members gave nearly $600,000 through membership dues 

 and special gifts. 



Six new members joined the James Smithson Society En- 

 dowed Life Program. Mrs. Alton Grimes, William Hopkins, 

 Richard and Elaine Kaufman, Shirley P. Sichel, and an 

 anonymous donor made this generous commitment to the 

 long-range work of the Smithsonian. An endowed Life Mem- 

 ber makes a one-time gift, and part of the proceeds is used for 

 the member's annual dues over his or her lifetime. This grow- 

 ing program helps provide essential support for our efforts to 

 focus on the big picture and plan ahead. 



Shirley Sichel was also recognized with the James Smithson 

 Society Founder Medal for her longstanding support of the Na- 

 tional Zoological Park, its Conservation and Research Center, and 

 its New Opportunities in Animal Health Sciences Program. She 

 has founded the Sichel Family Endowment for Research to ad- 

 vance the vital work of these units. At the Smithson Society's an- 

 nual dinner, Sir Christopher Meyer, KCMG, British Ambassador 

 in Washington, and Lady Meyer joined Secretary Heyman in 

 presenting the medal to Sichel. The Meyers were also granted 

 honorary membership in the society. 



Highlights of Corporate Philanthropy 



The business community is a growing segment of support for 

 a wide range of Smithsonian activities. This year, corporate 



support opened new avenues of exploration for millions of 

 people through research, education, and exhibition initiatives. 



As planning for the upcoming capital campaign proceeded, 

 we drafted a policy for corporate associations that will help us 

 maximize corporate support while finding the best match 

 berween Smithsonian programs and the interests of our cor- 

 porate supporters. A Director for Corporate and Foundation 

 Relations was named earlier this fall, who will work with 

 Smithsonian administrators, directors, and development 

 officers to coordinate a strategy for engaging more corporations 

 in the Institution and maximizing their philanthropic support. 



The Smithsonian Corporate Membership Program welcomed 

 17 new members and raised $1,027 million in unrestricted 

 funds. The program's annual luncheon in May featured Marie 

 Knowles, executive vice president and chief financial officer of 

 ARCO and a member of the Smithsonian National Board, as 

 the keynote speaker. Education at the Smithsonian was high- 

 lighted in a new video produced by the program. The Smithson- 

 ian: America's Classroom demonstrates the wide-ranging 

 educational impact of Smithsonian research in the classroom, 

 exhibitions, public programs, and behind-the-scenes activities. 



The Corporate Membership Program awarded the second 

 annual Corporate Leadership Award to NOVUS Services, Inc. 

 (now Discover® Financial Services, Inc.). Thomas Butler, 

 then president of NOVUS, accepted the award and described 

 how the partnership between the Smithsonian and Discover® 

 Card has benefited the company while improving education 

 nationwide. 



The generosity of the business community makes a positive 

 difference in the number and quality of programs that the 

 Smithsonian is able to undertake. We especially want to recog- 

 nize the contribution this year of Polo Ralph Lauren Corpora- 

 tion, whose pledge to the Star-Spangled Banner Preservation 

 Project will enable the Smithsonian to preserve one of our 

 country's most important icons and later rehang it in a 

 redesigned exhibition space with fresh educational and inter- 

 pretive materials. Polo Ralph Lauren's partnership with the 

 Institution is an outstanding example of how corporations are 

 making a difference in the lives of all Americans through our 

 national museum and education center. 



The National Air and Space Museum's Dulles Center cam- 

 paign also benefited from the generosity of the business com- 

 munity this year. The Boeing Company made a leadership 

 pledge to the center. Lockheed Martin Corporation pledged 

 major support in addition to its support for a Smithsonian In- 

 stitution Traveling Exhibition Service show on the Hubble 

 Telescope. Federal Express Corp. also pledged its support for 

 the center. Discover® Card gave a significant unrestricted gift 

 to the Smithsonian this year. The gift was part of the 

 company's five-year commitment to fund specific programs 

 and provide unrestricted support. Discover® Card also con- 

 tinues its association with the Institution through an affinity 

 card program, which generates donations to the Smithsonian 

 with every purchase made using the card and makes a con- 

 tribution with every card issued or renewed. 



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