In The SWC supports these four endowment programs for the Smithsonian professionals.
Fellowship in Museum Practices
Along with awarding fellowships to academics, educators and cultural heritage practitioners, the Smithsonian Office of Educational Technology offers a paid internship funded by the SWC. The internship provides a special opportunity for one undergraduate or graduate college student annually to assist museum educators and technologists in providing digital resources from Smithsonian museums to classrooms across the country.
Research Training Program at the National Museum of Natural History
For undergraduate college students, the National Museum of Natural History hosts a summer internship program that pairs undergraduates studying anthropology, botany, entomology, and zoology, with museum research staff. An SWC endowment funds a 10-week internship in Washington, DC.
Renwick Gallery Endowment
In support of the premier museum dedicated to American craft, SWC helps fund the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery's biennial exhibition. An SWC endowment funds a biennial lecture, symposium or series of public education programs to build public interest in fine crafts.
Annual Smithsonian Education Awards
The SWC has endowed three awards to honor Smithsonian employees for excellence: 1) the Smithsonian Education ACHIEVEMENT Awards honors and employee for outstanding performance working in education; 2) the ONE SMITHSONIAN Education Award recognizes an outstanding Pre-K-12 education project developed with many institutional partners and museums; and 3) and the Smithsonian Education INNOVATION & ACCESS Award recognizes an outstanding digital education project that gets Smithsonian's creative and interactive content to communities nationwide.
Legacy Fund
One Woman’s Vision. The Smithsonian Women’s Committee Legacy Fund begins with the vision of Marvin Breckinridge Patterson who bequeathed $100,000 to the Smithsonian in 2004 – with the requirement that income from her gift be distributed by the Women’s Committee. Thus was born our endowment called the “Smithsonian Women’s Committee Legacy Fund.”
Perpetuated by Many. Her gift is an extraordinary endowment because by her vision and leadership, others now make gifts of cash or securities or include the Smithsonian Women’s Committee Legacy Fund in their wills. By making a gift to the Smithsonian Woman’s Committee Legacy Fund, your generosity joins others in ensuring that Smithsonian research and treasures will continue to be gifts for all to cherish.
Invitation for Today. Consider celebrating your personal milestones by making a donation to the Smithsonian Women’s Committee Legacy Fund. Honor a special birthday, anniversary, or achievement. Mark an anniversary of your membership in the Smithsonian Women’s Committee with a gift. Alternatively, honor those who have passed on by making a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers.
Follow the Money. The Smithsonian Women’s Committee follows the identical procedure for the distribution of legacy funds that is practiced with the proceeds from its fundraising. The Committee invites Smithsonian staff and researchers to develop grant proposals, first endorsed by Museum directors, and then screened, vetted, presented, and voted on by Women’s Committee active members. The Committee follows up by tracking the grants to completion.
