CE MU OR SE F U IR M A FOUNDATION, INC. 2014 Annual Report Mission The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc was chartered in 1960 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the purpose of assisting the National Museum of the United States Air Force™ in its efforts to tell the Air Force story and inspire and educate our youth. The Foundation is the philanthropic corporation that assists in the development and expansion of the facilities of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. In addition, the Foundation provides funds each year to the Museum for special projects and underwrites several programs involving a wide range of activities geared toward education, volunteer support, special events, and promotional efforts. The National Museum of the United States Air Force is a USAF facility that is funded by the Air Force for normal operations and maintenance costs. Photo Credits: Biel Photography Liston Photography Mike Ullery A2 A Message from the Foundation Chairman Dear Friends of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, This is my first letter to you as chairman of the Air Force Museum Foundation Board of Managers, and I am thrilled to report that 2014 was a groundbreaking year! Our accomplishments over the past twelve months exceeded our goals, and as 2015 begins we are poised to make even more progress toward completion of the fourth building at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Our successful support of the Museum’s mission is due largely to your steadfast and generous support, and we are grateful to you. As you will read in this annual report we broke new ground in 2014 in many ways. Our milestone event was the June groundbreaking ceremony; by year’s end the Foundation had not only fully funded the basic building requirements but, in addition, was able to fully fund the theatrical lighting requirements of $1.12M—the first time in Museum history the lighting requirements have been met before building completion. In 2015 we are well positioned to support the west towpath (Est. $340K). Our fundraising continues as we work to fully fund the Titan IV Missile stand, west towpath extension, STEM learning nodes, and expanded technical requirements. We broke new ground in other ways in 2014, introducing innovations in our business units to enhance the Museum visitors’ experience. In our Museum store, our partnership with the renowned Freeze Frame, LLC has been a huge hit, allowing visitors to choose from several aircraft backdrops for a personal photo memento. Expanded product offerings—such as new apparel and food items—have also been enthusiastically received. Our Museum Theatre attracted new visitors to the Museum grounds to meet heroes from World War II and the Vietnam War during November’s successful “Salute to Heroes” film festival. When our faithful Morphis MovieRide finally gave out, we partnered with the Museum to creatively locate a temporary new Morphis MovieRide simulator on the grounds outside the Museum until a replacement for the beloved simulator could be finalized. New ground was broken on the Foundation’s Wall of Honor as the membership team installed 190 new Data Legacy Plates in 2014, bringing the total number of loved ones honored there to 760. The team also installed a second membership desk near the World War II Gallery to better serve our visitors. Our Cafés renewed their focus on customer service by providing expanded food options and relocating the Refueling Café to the Cold War Gallery (under the B-2) during the fourth building construction. Our Foundation team currently has a strong leader, and I thank the Foundation Executive Director, Mr. Mike Imhoff, who took the reins in March and kept the Foundation moving in a positive direction. Working together to break new ground, we are very proud of our partnership with the National Museum of the United States Air Force, and privileged to lead the dedicated and hardworking people who make up the Foundation and its Board. Most importantly, we’re grateful to you; your support made 2014 a truly groundbreaking year! Again, my thanks for your continued support as members and volunteers! Fran Duntz, SES (Ret) Chairman, Board of Managers Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. A3 Highlights Membership—On Solid Ground Development—Groundbreaking Success Exceeded Net Income Projections Thanks to our many stakeholders, the Foundation had an outstanding year, netting $2.65M before gifts to the Air Force. This exceeded projected net income by $1.49M. Kicked off Construction of The Friends of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force program Fourth Building was on solid ground in 2014, adding nearly 1,500 new members and contributing more than $500K to the Foundation’s gross revenue. With your support the Foundation fully funded the Museum’s fourth Members continued to enjoy special events such as the building basic building requirements VIP tour of the World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous held on and celebrated at the June 3, 2014 Museum grounds in the 100th anniversary year of the start of groundbreaking ceremony, which World War I. featured keynote speaker Ms. Deborah Lee James, Secretary of the Air Force. The membership team broke new ground in the Museum’s Kettering Hall by opening a second Membership desk to better serve visitors. Volunteers at both Foundation desks helped visitors Fully Funded $1.12M conveniently purchase memberships and make donations for Theatrical Lighting Option one of the Foundation’s popular Aircraft Locator maps. More than 8,000 maps were distributed in 2014! On the heels of the $37.25M gifted to the Air Force in 2013, the Foundation fully funded the Museum’s $1.12M request to purchase theatrical lighting Legacy Data Plate Wall of Honor for the fourth building. Implemented Free WiFi throughout Museum The Foundation funded and managed the process to install commerical- grade WiFi throughout the Museum. Visitors can now enjoy free access to online materials in any gallery! There were 190 new data plates added to the Wall of Honor for a total of 760. Hundreds attended the May 22 Legacy Data Plate Wall of Honor Tribute Ceremony to honor the men and women represented on the Wall of Honor. Visit www.LegacyDataPlates.com to read the stories of those honored at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. A4 Membership—On Solid Ground Development—Groundbreaking Success 2014 was a groundbreaking year thanks to the generosity and passion of the Foundation’s THANK YOU! stakeholders. The Foundation’s stakeholders. achieved so much in 2014! • Friends of the NMUSAF • Remaining Balance of 2013 Commitment • Building Fund Donors Gifted to Museum • Legacy Society Members • Theatrical Lighting for Fourth Building • Annual Appeal Donors • Museum Special Event Support • Donation Bin Contributors • Museum Volunteer Support • Museum Store Shoppers • Free Public WiFi in the Entire Museum Complex • Attractions Patrons • Education Program Support • Café Diners • Restoration Staff Uniforms • Museum Marketing and Advertising Support • Museum Operational Support Increased Moving Forward The Foundation’s fundraising continues in 2015 to support the Museum’s goals for expanded infrastructure, enhanced technologies, and educational assets in the fourth building. The completed building will offer state-of-the-art, interactive learning opportunities for Museum visitors of all ages. Fourth Building West Tow Path West Tow Path Extension REMAINING GOALS: Titan IV Missile Stand STEM Learning Nodes Expanded Educational Opportunities Expanded Program Support A5 Foundation Businesses—Enhancing the Museum Visitors’ Experience Museum Gift Store During 2014, in the spirit of breaking new ground, the Museum Store creatively endeavored to enhance the Museum experience for visitors. Tasty and fun new edible souvenirs—hot sauce, pasta, and specialty chocolates—added flavor to the already rich menu of aviation-themed gifts. The Store teamed with Freeze Frame, LLC to offer Museum visitors a unique photography service—the opportunity to be photographed with their choice of several different aircraft backdrops. Visitors are enthusiastic about these personalized souvenirs from their Museum visit, which are printed on site. The Museum Store had a stake in the action at the Museum’s popular World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous in September, pitching a tent during the event on Museum grounds to sell personalized military-style dog tags as well as other favorites from the Museum Store. Another noteworthy teaming was working with Lt Col (Ret) Paul Kari to procure autographed copies of his autobiography. Kari, a Vietnam-era POW, hand-delivers his books to the Museum Store. Museum Attractions - Simulators A new, 4D Morphis MovieRide simulator, a salute to heroes, and innovative use of the Museum Theatre for private events, contributed to another groundbreaking year for the Air Force Museum Theatre. When the popular Morphis MovieRide became inoperable in early June, the Theatre team worked with the Museum to creatively place a temporary outdoor MovieRide on the Museum grounds. Museum visitors didn’t miss a heart-stopping second of simulator action while a new, 4D MovieRide was being installed inside. This innovative solution by the Theatre and Museum teams contributed to higher-than-budgeted net income from simulator operations in 2014. A6 Foundation Businesses—Enhancing the Museum Visitors’ Experience Highlights Museum Attractions - Theatre Initiated Joint Foundation/ The November “Reel Stuff Salute Museum eNewsletter to Heroes” continued the Museum Theatre’s popular film festival Aviation enthusiasts now receive tradition—with a twist in 2014. For the information about the Museum AND first time, veterans from three wars the Foundation each month thanks were invited to take the stage before to the implementation of a joint the movies, to regale the audiences eNewsletter. with personal recollections of Air Force service. Sign up at: afmuseum.com/newsletter Distinguished guest Col C.E.