State funding for the Bishop Museum - Legislative Reference Bureau

STATE FUNDING FOR THE BISHOP MUSEUM
line item in the Governor's budget addressing these areas, with a statutorily
established floor of not less than a fixed percentage, such as 20 per cent, of
the Museum's previous year's operating expenses would be the most desirable
arrangement.
following:
The advantages of regular support from state government include the
(1) If provided unconditionally, it would amount to the equivalent of
approximately 12 times its value in endowment;
(2) Dependable and predictable financial support permits efficient and
effective long-term planning. Irregular support limits the
application of the funding to short-term projects;
(3) It would provide the resources to meet the needs of the Museum's
scholarly and general public constituencies;
14) It presents a strong statement of the State's recognition and
commitment to the importance of gathering, studying, preserving,
and sharing of the natural and cultural history of Hawaii; and
(5) It strengthens the Museum's ability to obtain the support of the
private sector, because as a general rule, foundations,
corporations, and private individuals are most apt to support
specific programs and projects that are compatible with their
interests, that possess a predictable end to the funding
requirement, and for which name recognition is possible. Basic
operation expenses of salaries, utilities, and facilities maintenance
are not attractive fundraising projects.
Regular state support could be disadvantageous if subject to conditions
that would increase the demand for endowment resources; that is, if the