Ways to Support

If you are interested in any of the ways to support or have any questions, please contact us at:
(406)644-3435 or info@ninepipesmuseum.org

Cash

The museum gratefully accepts donations of any dollar amount.

In-kind Donations

Goods or Services are a great way to support the museum. Check with us to see if you have an item(s) we can use or have a project/job you can help us finish/fulfill.

Gift Memberships

How about a year-long gift to have access through the museum! Gift memberships can be purchased for an individual, family, or several different levels.

You can play a part in our future. To help ensure a strong future for our organization and our community, we have established Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana Endowment at the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) for the permanent benefit of our organization’s vital work. With a contribution to the endowment, you can make a lasting impact while ensuring Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana can meet the needs of our community now and forever.

Additionally, giving to the endowment helps you meet your financial and charitable goals while receiving some fantastic tax benefits. With a qualified contribution of $2,500 or more to the endowment, you can take advantage of the Montana Endowment Tax Credit (METC) – a direct credit toward your Montana state tax liability. Individuals can claim up to $10,000 in METC annually or $20,000 for couples filing jointly, and business donors are eligible for up to $10,000 as well.

To learn more about how you can support the Ninepipes through our endowment fund at MCF and take advantage of the tax credit and other benefits, contact us at Info@ninepipesmuseum.org or call (406) 644-3435. We will be happy to connect you with the experts at the Montana Community Foundation.

Employer Matching Gifts

Gifts are a type of giving program that is set up by companies / corporations as an employee benefit. After an employee donates to a nonprofit, they can submit a matching gift request to their employer and the company will make an additional donation to that nonprofit.

Volunteering

Volunteers are a vital and integral part of what makes the museum function. Volunteering allows you to learn about history and culture, contribute to your community, gain valuable experience, meet people from around the world with similar interests, and most of all keep history alive.

In Honor or Memory Gifts

Extra special gifts that you send us in honor of a special occasion or a memorial gift.

Gift Certificates

Treat someone with a gift certificate to be used in our gift shop or in the museum. Great to purchase several to have on hand for those times you unexpectedly need a gift!

Securities & Mutual Funds:

Securities (Appreciated Stock) Mutual Funds: Making a gift of securities or mutual funds directly to Ninepipes Museum offers you the chance to support the museum while realizing important benefits for yourself. By donating appreciated stock, you may claim (talk with tax advisor) a charitable deduction equal to the stock’s fair market value on the day you give it way and avoid paying capital gains tax. Have your broker contact us today!

Planned Giving

A wonderful way to support the future of Ninepipes Museum is to provide for a future gift, either through your estate plan, a life income gift such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust, or through a charitable lead trust.

Internship

Some colleges offer their students internships to develop professional aptitude and strengthen their personal character. Interns typically work closely with museum staff on a variety of projects and tasks related to their area of interest, such as education, curatorial work, or event planning. In addition to gaining work experience, interns also have the chance to build their professional networks and learn more about the inner workings of a museum.

Donate To The Collection

Join Us!

Ninepipes Museum is hosting our 2nd annual heritage keeper benefit fundraiser June 11th, 2023.

How to Donate to the Collection

For those who are passionate about preserving their objects or family heirlooms, who want to play an important role in educating others about Early Montana, please consider donating to the museum’s permanent collection. If you are able to contribute to purchasing objects that should be brought back to the Mission Valley, please see details on how to contribute below (click on bullet to jump to explanation).

Criteria for Object Donation:

Objects being considered for donation should be in good condition, of exhibit quality, and be associated with Early Montana. While we care for and preserves objects that relate to Early Montana in general, we are specifically looking to grow our collection of Native American artifacts associated with the tribes of Montana, especially that of the Flathead Reservation. However, we also consider objects and artwork relating to Early Montana that plays a significant role in its history.

Process for Accepting Donations:

We take the stewardship of our collection very seriously. To begin the process of donating, please email the curator with photos of your potential donation and any history about your donation. If it falls within the criteria for donation, you will be asked to fill out a potential donor form. If you are local and would prefer to bring in your objects, please call to make an appointment. Our Collections Committee meets quarterly to review potential donations, at which time we will notify you of their decision.

Fund the Purchase of an Object:

100’s of objects from the Flathead Reservation and Early Montana are sold to private collectors each year. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if we could bring those objects home to be preserved for generations so that everyone can learn from them? If you would like to be a part of this important cause, please consider donating to our collections purchasing fund so that these objects aren’t lost to the future.

Support a Preservation Project:

Our goal in the next 5 years is to complete the recommendations of the 2019 Preservation Assessment, to practice best standards of care, be an example of those standards to local area museums, and to reflect those standards by becoming an AAM nationally accredited museum. If you would like to help us achieve these goals, please consider donating to one of the Projects below:

Basement Storage Renovation:
Seeking volunteers for new art shelves; Contribute towards a new Textile rack

Artifact Conservation:
The following objects are needing Conservation

Storage Preservation Materials:
Acid-free Boxes and Tissue, etc.

Exhibit Preservation Upgrades:
Lights, Security and Props

Non-profit

Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization:
Tax ID #81-0519834. EIN 81-0519843. IRS Publication 526: “If you pay more than fair market value to a qualified organization for goods or services, the excess may be a charitable contribution. For the excess amount to qualify, you must pay it with the intent to make a charitable contribution.” (Ninepipes Museum Fair Market Values for Membership Levels: Individual $30, Family $45, Trail Keeper $250, Promise Keeper $500, Legend Keeper $1,000, & Heritage Keeper $5,000)

Ninepipes Museum Memberships

Our dedicated members play a big part in keeping the museum doors open for visitors who come from throughout the United States and from around the world to view historic objects of the Flathead Reservation and Early Montana.

Membership dues cover approximately 10% of the museum’s operation expenses. Please consider supporting the museum’s programs with a tax-deductivle contribution. Call us at (406)644-3435 if you have question. Thank you!

$30 Individual

One-year unlimited museum admission for one adult.

$45 Family

One-year unlimited museum admission for two adults with children or grandchildren

$250 Trail Keeper

One-year unlimited museum admission for two adults with children or grandchildren
Two, one-time use, free guest passes
Ray Miller “Moon of the Missions” cards/envelopes (First Year Gift)

$500 Promise Keeper

One-year unlimited museum admission for two adults with children or grandchildren
Two, one-time use, free guest passes
Gifts: Signed Bud Cheff Jr.’ book, Legend Keeper: More Trails and Tales, and a braid of sweet grass (First Year Gifts)

$1,000 Ledgend Keeper

One-year unlimited museum admission for two adults with children or grandchildren
Two, one-time use, free guest passes
Gifts: Signed Bud Cheff Jr.’ book, Legend Keeper: More Trails and Tales, and a braid of sweet grass (First Year Gifts)
Name added to $1,000 donor plaque

$5,000 Heritage Keeper

Two-year unlimited museum admission for two adults with children or grandchildren
Two, one-time use, free guest passes
Name added to $5,000 Heritage Keeper donor plaque
Gift from Bud Cheff, Jr. (First Year Gift)

BUSINESS/CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS

Sponsorship funds events and educational opportunities for local schools and the public
Recognized throughout the year as museum supporters with company name/logo on museum’s website.

$250 Sponsorship

Sharable, one-year unlimited museum admission for two adults with children or grand- children
Five, one-time use, guest passes

$500 Sponsorship

Sharable, one-year unlimited museum admission for two adults with children or grand-children
Ten, one-time use, guest passes
2 Ninepipes Museum window decals

$1,000 & Above Sponsorship

Sharable, one-year unlimited museum admission for two adults with children or grand-children
Fifteen, one-time use, guest passes
Logo/website will appear top of event program/digital news, with signage placed in prominent place in museum.
2 Ninepipes Museum window decals
2 complimentary tickets to our annual benefit