CHINA LAKE MUSEUM FOUNDATION

The goals of the Foundation include: creating, maintaining, improving, and operating a self-sustaining, historical, educational, and entertaining Museum.
Through these goals the Foundation also;
* Collects, documents, displays, highlights, and shares with the general public the fascinating and critically important weapons development history of China Lake and its development of much of the Naval Armament and Technology of our Nation.
* Nurtures curiosity in science and engineering in our school age youth through displays, presentations, and special programs such as the "rocket scientist program".
* Provides a tourism draw for the Indian Wells Valley, Kern County and Southern California.
* Provides a community resource for both government and public networking events.

The China Lake Museum Foundation is utilizing a variety of strategies to accomplish its goals.
MOVING THE MUSEUM off base will increase attendance and allow the museum to charge admission which is not currently allowed at its current location on the base. Expansion of the military armament museum to include an INTERACTIVE SCIENCE CENTER will increase the visitor base and expand interest in the region.
The China Lake Museum Foundation has been moderately successful and continues to actively recruit FOUNDERS- interested partners willing to contribute $5,000 or more towards on-going or capital expenses. An ENDOWMENT was established in December 2015 and has received its first contributions shortly thereafter. The Capital building program is PHASED to make it manageable and sustainable within our limited resources.

Our isolated geographic location has limited opportunities for funding due to a population base of only 32,000 in the valley. The main employer, the military base, is unable to provide direct financial support but does provide the museum access to a wide variety of materials for exhibits. The museum is actively seeking grant support via businesses, as well as state and federal grant resources. Additional members with specific skills for fundraising and strategy development have been added to the organization's structure.
The Board of Directors are active and motivated and serve without compensation. Many of them, along with over 30+ volunteer docents, worked on the base and were involved with many of the defense weapon development efforts. They are a can do organization.

We have completed Phase 1 of our Capital Building Program. March 2018
Funds raised for Phase 2a ($400,000)- additional 4,000 sq. ft. slated for completion in 2020.
An endowment account with first contributions has been established for ongoing maintenance and operation costs.
Funding has not been secured for Phase 2b building efforts. A business plan and fundraising strategy hare being finalized.
Initial planning for the Interactive Science Center has begun but limited space at this time will severely limit the ability to house planned exhibits.