Marine Corps Heritage Foundation

Established in 1979, the Foundation is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the history of the U.S. Marine Corps. Museums, fellowships, awards, publications, new National Museum of the Marine Corps.

How do you help people in my community?

The Foundation's funding for fellowships and awards is national in scope. Students who have received educational assistance from the Foundation study in every state in the U.S.  Awards have been presented to people from coast to coast. The Foundation also operates a Museum Gift Shop which publishes an annual catalog of gift items for Marines and friends of the Corps. The Shop operates an online store on the Foundation's website at www.marineheritage.org

Why do you need my support?

The Foundation has raised $57 million from donors across the country to help build the National Museum of the Marine Corps. This only completes phase one of the master plan for the Heritage Center.  Many millions more must be raised to complete the full build-out of the Museum and the development of Semper Fidelis Memorial Park and its chapel, a place where the sacrifices of generations of Marines can be recognized.  Since we began our Capital Campaign in spring 2000, many donors have made very small gifts but each one has helped us reach our initial goal.  The Museum opens to the public on November 13th, 2006.  Future gifts will complete the building campaign and support all the other historical programs the Foundation supports when taxpayer appropriated funding is not available.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation stringently adheres to non-profit best practices. An independent annual audit is conducted and copies of that document as well as the IRS Form 990 are posted on the Foundation's website, www.marineheritage.org.  The Foundation operates with a small staff, currently only 13 full-time people, 3 of whom work in the Museum Gift Shop.

The President and Board of Directors serve as volunteers, without compensation of any kind.

Can I Volunteer? How?

Absolutely!  Visit us on the web at http://www.usmcmuseum.org/Involved_volunteer.asp or call (800) 397-7585 for more information.