Growing the Endowment

Mount Vernon’s annual budget is heavily dependent on revenues from strong and steady visitation. We rely on an income stream that is vulnerable to climate, economic, and social factors largely beyond our control.

To maintain a position of financial strength, mitigate risks, and safeguard our assets, our endowment must also grow.

A larger endowment will enable us to:

• Sustain the excellent stewardship of our collection and the acquisition of original objects and manuscripts.
• Support scholars and leaders in preservation, horticulture, and education.
• Secure funding for both residential and regional education programs.
• Support research and programming around Washington’s legacy.

Increasing Our Annual Fund

This campaign seeks significant growth in the annual fund, the foundation of all unrestricted support, to ensure that Mount Vernon does not waver from its standards or its mission.

Mount Vernon relies upon robust annual support to ensure that the operating budget can sustain its day-to-day operations.

While the combined revenue from admissions, membership, food and beverage, and retail funds a portion of operating needs, it is insufficient to cover all of the expenses necessary to maintain the 400-acre estate.

The unrestricted funds raised annually help to close this gap between operating revenues and expenses. In tandem with the draw from the endowment, strong and growing annual support is vital to the ongoing operations of the institution and eases the risks of attendance-sensitive revenues.