The Friends’ Endowment: A Gift That Keeps on Giving

In 1985 at the suggestion of Director Howard E. Wooden, the Friends of the Wichita Art Museum, Inc. Endowment was established as part of the Museum’s 50th Anniversary celebration and the Friends’ 25th anniversary.

On February 18, 1997, with a deposit of $293, 105.07 the Friends established their endowment with the Wichita Community Foundation. With this deposit the Friends established the General Fund for Acquisitions and Exhibitions, the first of three designated funds.

On December 12, 1997, with a deposit of $25,000 the Friends established their second designated fund entitled the Library Fund for the Purchase of Books and Library Materials.

On February 15, 2000, with a deposit of $50, 775.02 the Friends established their third designated fund entitled the Howard E. Wooden Lecture Series Fund for Public Lectures.

Every year the monies raised by FWAM contribute to the growth of the three funds. Managed by Wichita Community Foundation, all grant distributions are determined one year before the Fiscal Year in which the funds are to be distributed. Funds need not be spent in the year in which they are eligible for distribution. Such funds may be accumulated making possible a larger acquisition or exhibition that would be possible with a single year’s distribution.

Click here to learn about the Wichita Community Foundation.

The Friends' 30th anniversary gift was Georgia O'Keefe's East River No. 1, 1926, pictured above.