The Dubuque County Historical Society (DCHS)’s Museums for All low-cost admission program recently garnered grant funding from two key Dubuque family foundations. The McDonough Foundation has provided $2,500 in grant support and the Wahlert Foundation has provided $3,000. Funding from these long-standing philanthropic family foundations provide critical support for DCHS’s Museums for All low-cost admission program.
The DCHS Museums for All program, a part of the nationwide program serving a network of 1,300 museums, zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens, serves approximately 9,000 individuals each year at The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and The Mathias Ham Historic Site. These individuals include local residents and visitors to Dubuque. To utilize the program, individuals that are living below the federal poverty threshold, and qualify for assistance programs such as SNAP benefits, Medicaid, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and Housing Choice Voucher Program, can provide proof of their enrollment in one or more of these programs to access a $3 admission.
Museums for All endeavors to provide barrier-free access to cultural institutions and encourage diverse populations to build routine engagement in cultural experiences in an effort to nurture the prioritization of lifelong learning.
The McDonough Foundation awarded $446,038 to 88 organizations in the Northeast Iowa area in 2024. The James and Melita McDonough Foundation has been fulfilling their mission to improve the quality of life in Eastern Iowa through charitable giving since 2012.
“Awarding grants to local nonprofits is always very rewarding. Over the last few years, organizations have really struggled. We value our ability to help them get through some tough times.” stated Ann McDonough, Board Chair of the McDonough Foundation, “The great gift that James and Melita McDonough gave to our community is immeasurable. We are grateful to them every day that they have entrusted our Board to continue honoring their legacy."
Over the last 76 years, the Wahlert Foundation has made grants totaling more than $18,600,000 throughout the Dubuque community and beyond. In 2024, the Wahlert Foundation awarded $262,000 in funding to support nonprofits.
"The Trustees of the Wahlert Foundation have had a long history of supporting the River Museum since its inception,” said Kathy (Wahlert) Chameli, Board President. “We are pleased to provide funding in 2024 for low-cost admission which truly shows our belief in “Museums for All.”