California Science Center Foundation

California Science Center Foundation
Name	California Science Center Foundation
Formation	1978
Type	Nonprofit foundation
Headquarters	Los Angeles, California
Location	Exposition Park
Leader title	President & CEO

California Science Center Foundation The California Science Center Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropic organization supporting the California Science Center in Los Angeles. The Foundation raises private funds, stewards collections, and underwrites exhibitions such as the Space Shuttle Endeavour display, development of the Samuel Oschin Pavilion, and education initiatives tied to the Exposition Park campus. It operates at the intersection of museum philanthropy, exhibition design, and civic cultural planning in California and the United States.

History

The Foundation was established in the late 20th century to secure private support for the California Science Center, a successor institution to the California Museum of Science and Industry and part of the California Natural Resources Agency's portfolio. Early fundraising campaigns enabled major capital projects including renovation of the California African American Museum-adjacent campus and expansion of exhibition space near the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Notable milestones include partnerships for traveling exhibitions with institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, collaborations with aerospace entities like NASA, and acquisition campaigns tied to artifacts from programs such as the Space Shuttle program and aerospace projects from Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Mission and Programs

The Foundation’s mission is to mobilize private philanthropy to support the California Science Center’s public programs, exhibitions, scientific collections, and STEM-related educational initiatives. Programs supported by the Foundation include funding for permanent exhibits, temporary exhibitions drawn from partners like the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Griffith Observatory, and scholarship programs linked to regional school districts including the Los Angeles Unified School District and institutions such as University of Southern California and California State University, Los Angeles. The Foundation has underwritten science demonstration series associated with exhibitions about astronomy, biology, earth science, and engineering topics showcased alongside artifacts from National Aeronautics and Space Administration missions and private aerospace firms like Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Governance and Leadership

The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees composed of civic leaders, philanthropists, scientists, and executives from institutions such as Walt Disney Company, Northrop Grumman, and major Los Angeles cultural organizations including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Getty Foundation. Executive leadership historically has included executives with experience at the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago), the American Museum of Natural History, and university development offices like those of Stanford University and University of California, Los Angeles. Governance structures incorporate audit and development committees that liaise with public entities including the California Department of Parks and Recreation and municipal partners like the City of Los Angeles.

Facilities and Collections

The Foundation supports facility development across the California Science Center campus in Exposition Park, including the Samuel Oschin Pavilion that houses the Space Shuttle Endeavour and adjacent restoration and exhibition spaces used for loans from institutions such as the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History. The Foundation invests in preservation for objects ranging from aerospace hardware associated with Mercury program, Gemini program, and Apollo program artifacts to biological specimens similar to those curated by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Collections stewardship and conservation efforts often coordinate with conservation labs at universities such as California Institute of Technology and professional bodies including the American Alliance of Museums.

Funding and Partnerships

Primary funding sources include major gifts, capital campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and grants from philanthropic entities such as the Gates Foundation, regional foundations like the Annenberg Foundation, and corporate donors in the aerospace and technology sectors including Raytheon Technologies and SpaceX. The Foundation has executed naming-rights agreements, matching campaigns, and foundation grants to underwrite exhibitions developed in collaboration with partners such as the Natural History Museum (London), the Field Museum, and the California Academy of Sciences. Public-private partnerships have been formed with agencies including NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and state institutions to facilitate exhibit loans, research collaborations, and educational programming.

Education and Community Outreach

The Foundation funds education initiatives that extend the California Science Center’s reach into neighborhoods served by Los Angeles Unified School District, community colleges such as Los Angeles City College, and universities including California State University, Dominguez Hills. Outreach programs include mobile science experiences, teacher professional development in partnership with entities like the National Science Teachers Association, scholarship programs for underserved students, and community events coordinated with cultural partners such as the California African American Museum and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. These efforts align with broader regional cultural planning involving institutions like the Music Center and civic projects sponsored by the Los Angeles County arts and culture offices.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in California Category:Museums in Los Angeles