As 2018 draws to a close, Gilcrease is celebrating another milestone in the journey to transform the museum. With the vision for the museum’s new interpretive plan becoming clearer, the related Campaign for Gilcrease won another generous gift.

The campaign kicked off in May 2016 with a $1 million gift from the Stephenson Family Foundation. The campaign’s most recent gift – another $1 million – was given in September by anonymous donors who, enthusiastic about Gilcrease and its future, made an unrestricted contribution to the museum’s endowment.

The Campaign for Gilcrease was developed to complement the public investment to update the museum (through the Vision Tulsa tax initiative) by growing the Gilcrease endowment to a more significant level and further strengthening the museum’s operational capacity. By making this gift, the donors have brought the museum’s future closer in reach.

Although the identity of the donors will remain confidential, the impact of their gift will be felt for years to come. Unrestricted endowment gifts support a broad range of activities including educational programs for children and families, broader exhibition offerings, incorporation of technology into the Gilcrease experience and more.

Generous gifts like these not only have a lasting impact on the museum’s operations, but also demonstrate confidence in museum administration. Unrestricted gifts allow leadership to allocate the earnings to what the museum needs most, providing flexibility in addition to financial support.

“Gilcrease is encouraged by this latest gift to our campaign, the ninth gift of $1 million or more,” said Susan Neal, Gilcrease Museum executive director. “Not only is it illustrative of the generosity the Tulsa philanthropic community is known for, it gives us resolve as we look toward marking our 70th anniversary next year. Such support reminds us that Gilcrease is vitally important and deeply loved throughout our community. We are extremely grateful to the donors for their confidence in Gilcrease.”

To date, commitments to the $50 million Campaign for Gilcrease total more than $37.6 million. Of that, $23 million is dedicated to the Gilcrease endowment.