[Scmusenet] A question about Museum or Historic Site gift shops

[Fairfield County Museum]

Allen,

I am glad you have brought this up.  Although I don't have advice about this
particularly, I have questions about another concern we are thinking about.
Last year, the Museum became a full-fledged department of the Fairfield
County Council and Government, simplifying a lot of political snafus with
politically appointed commission posts, etc.  But as a wing of the
government, our minimal purchases and sales of mostly research-related local
history items come and go through the county's general treasury pockets.
The increased red tape is a little sticky and as the minimal profits go into
the general funds, they may or may not be realized in museum expenditures.
We have formed a Friends organization, but not yet set it up as a 501 C-3,
and I am looking into the possibility of having the Friends operate our gift
shop.  This way funds can be recycled into museum programs and needs in a
timely way.  I need some input on the pros and cons of other organizations
using a support organization this way.

Thanks to anyone who can offer advice, and sorry I can't help in your
situation.

-Pelham

Fairfield County Museum

fairfieldmus at truvista.net

 

 

From: scmusenet-bounces at southcarolinamuseums.org
[mailto:scmusenet-bounces at southcarolinamuseums.org] On Behalf Of Allen
Coleman
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:02 PM
To: SCMuseNet at southcarolinamuseums.org
Cc: scmusnet at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Scmusenet] A question about Museum or Historic Site gift shops

 

Hopefully some of those operating gifts shops at their facility might help
with some insight.

 

To date, our gifts shops at Hagood Mill and Pickens County Museum are
separate from our charitable status, with all profits (as miniscule as the
amount is in such a low volume retail outlet) going back into the shop
(business expenses, merchandise expansion, marketing and product
development). 

 

There is some now questioning on our board as to why shop profits can't be
funneled into mill or museum projects. I know that they can be once cost of
operations is met. I was wondering if anyone could give me some suggestions
as to how their institution does this. what kind of profit sharing or other
percentile share is in place and how we might, in the most logical, ethical
and legal manner, set up such a revenue stream from the profit to the
non-profit sector of our organization.

 

Any suggestions or words of wondrous wisdom??? Anyone know of online
articles or links addressing this question???

 

Thanks so much - Allen

 

C. Allen Coleman, Executive Director 
Pickens County Museum of Art & History 
Hagood Mill Historic Site & Folklife Center 
Pickens County Cultural Commission 
307 Johnson Street 
Pickens, SC 29671 
(864) 898-5963 
<mailto:allenc at co.pickens.sc.us <BLOCKED::mailto:allenc at co.pickens.sc.us> > 

 

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