Cultural philanthropy is vital to CAM’s growth and development.  Your on-going donations are crucial to sustaining a future filled with learning and enjoyment opportunities that encourage and promote a greater shared knowledge about our nation’s cultural past.

Please support CAM by participating in one or more of the following ways:

Donor Wall

CAM’s beautiful Donor Wall is an artistic representation of an illuminated Bamboo forest.  Bamboo plants are known for being strong, resilient, adaptable, and can establish roots and grow even in the harshest of conditions.  These admirable qualities can be applied to the Chinese American experience, thus making the donor wall design very fitting to CAM.

The Donor Wall reflects the names of organizations and individuals who have contributed to the life and growth of the museum beyond the classic membership level.  Patron names are  permanently engraved onto the bamboo stalk as a tribute to their generosity and visionary support of CAM.   Recognition begins at the Bronze Patron level ($5,000) and extends to as high as the Jade Patron level ($1,000,000 and up).  Consider planting your legacy here at CAM beginning with any of the following levels:

• $5,000 Bronze Patron
• $10,000 Silver Patron
• $25,000 Gold Patron
• $50,000 Ivory Patron
• $100,000 Sapphire Patron
• $250,000 Ruby Patron
• $500,000 Gold Patron

Ways to Join:

• Visit us at CAM
• Phone us at (213) 485-8453
• Mail a completed membership form and check to:

Chinese American Museum
c/o Membership
125 Paseo de la Plaza, #300
Los Angeles, CA 90012 

888 CAM Circle

The 888 CAM Circle is CAM’s most auspicious membership level to date!  This membership level holds the distinction of being devoted exclusively to raising funds for the Museum's Expansion Project.  This Expansion Project was given life in 2004 when the City Council of Los Angeles designated the remainder of the historic Garnier Building for use by the Chinese American Museum – more than doubling the museum's current size!

We invite you to join the 888 CAM Circle.

888 CAM Circle members play a vital role in building the foundation capital for the Museum's expansion.  As the number suggests, the 888 CAM Circle will include no more than 888 members who each donate a minimum of $888.  Proceeds from the 888 CAM Circle will be used to plan and design exhibits, programs and vital tenant improvements needed for CAM to grow in size and vision.  In recognition of CAM Member Circle contributions, members will have their names added to the new Expansion Donor Wall.

What are 888 CAM Circle benefits?

To honor your generous contribution, your name (or one name of your choice) will be placed on the all-new Expansion Donors’ Wall, to be constructed in a unique area within the Museum.  In addition, you will also receive a special Certificate of Appreciation for your donation.    Enhance your CAM experience today by joining us at this prestigious level!  We thank you kindly for your consideration and for your continuing dedication and support of CAM.

Ways to Join:

• Online
• Visit us at CAM
• Phone us at (213) 485-8453
• Mail a completed membership form and check to:

Chinese American Museum
c/o Membership
125 Paseo de la Plaza, #300
Los Angeles, CA 90012 

Education Fund

In Southern California today, there is a critical need to inform students of the multicultural contributions and formation of this great region and State- -- here is how you can become an important partner in this endeavor.

The Chinese American Museum (CAM) is a regional educational center with a mission to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of America's diverse heritage by researching, preserving, and sharing the history, rich cultural legacy and continuing contributions of Chinese Americans. Through multi-faceted activities including exhibitions, educational programs, community outreach, and publications, the Museum illuminates the challenges and achievements of Chinese Americans, from the earliest pioneers to the newest immigrants. CAM serves the general public as well as targeted audiences such as underserved communities, young people in grades K-12 and Asian Pacific Americans.

Programs and exhibits at the Chinese American Museum shed light on the early experiences of Chinese Americans in Southern California and the contributions they made to the country’s economy, culture and history. The first race riot in Los Angeles – the anti-Chinese massacre of1871, letters from Chinese Americans serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, and the Chinese American role in the development of the Californian agricultural industry are just a few examples of the numerous contributions and experiences of the community that have been largely forgotten and do not appear in regional K-12 educational curriculum.

There is a vital need to educate a new generation.  Teaching students today to appreciate and value our diversity and contributions is the key to combating intolerance and ignorance. While the Chinese American Museum provides educational programs that teach about the contributions of Chinese immigrants and citizens in America, we do so while validating the diversity and contributions of all ethnic groups. Thousands of educators in the Greater Los Angeles are committed to teaching their students about tolerance and diversity. Because they are hard-pressed to find time during the school day to incorporate new topics and educational materials, the Chinese American Museum educational programs work within local educational frameworks, existing mandated curricula, and with the material currently being taught. Our educational department creates programs, curricula, and exhibits with direct input from educators and students to make certain that they meet their needs.

A Funding Opportunity – Establishing a Named Education Fund

A contribution of $5,000 to establish a named Education Fund will enable the Chinese American Museum to pursue the development of a wide range of new and innovative educational activities to provide local and regional schools with programs and exhibits that can enhance current educational curricula covering the history and culture of California.

More than 150 years after Chinese immigrants began arriving on shores of California, their contributions to the economy, vibrant culture, and history are in danger of being forgotten. We recognize that in providing financial support to the Chinese American Museum, our donors can help ensure that the history of the Chinese American pioneers can impart lessons for new generations.   By promoting an understanding of cultural diversity and contributions, we are pledging to fight the dangers of intolerance and ignorance.  We invite you to be a visionary partner by establishing The Named Education Fund. Your partnership will help the Chinese American Museum advance its educational mission in a critical way, enabling the Museum to serve students and teachers, and the community.

A contribution to create the “Mr. and Mrs. XYZ Education Fund” | “ABC Co. Education Fund” will benefit students with the following activities:   

• Our American Journey: Immigration and Identity

Our American Journey (OAJ) is a student education program that will greatly expand the interactive educational potential of Journeys, the most important permanent exhibit at the Chinese American Museum. OAJ traces the development of Chinese immigration and Chinese American life in the United States from 1850 to the present. OAJ will consist of a student activity book and teacher and student workshops on issues like Chinese American culture, history, and identity.

• Free Bus Program

One of the greatest challenges for schools is providing enough bus transportation for students and teachers to visit different cultural institutions in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Chinese American Museum would like to establish a Free Bus Program where schools that are from underserved communities can utilize to bring their students and teachers to the Museum.

• Teacher and Student Workshops

The Chinese American Museum would like to continually offer a variety of teacher and    student workshops that introduce the different educational resources available at the    Museum.

• Partnerships

The Named Education Fund and contributions from other donors will also be used to help the Museum build institutional relationships and partnerships with local schools and teachers, in order that we can help bring new programs and exhibits that would benefit students in Los Angeles.

• Program Development

Funding from The Named Education Fund and other contributors will also help the Museum’s educational department research and develop possible new projects that    benefit local schools. While only a small number of programming concepts become reality, the effort it takes to nuture them from the idea stage requires a great deal of staff time. Your funding would ensure a continuous steady supply of programs and exhibits from the Museum.

• Classroom Materials

All the exhibits and programs at the Museum targeted at students involve take-away classroom materials. Your contribution helps subsidize the creation, printing and packaging of such classroom materials that teachers can use and incorporate into their lesson plans after the students visit the Museum.

• Donor Recognition

Your contribution in creating A Named Education Fund will be gratefully acknowledged in our quarterly newsletter, which reaches 10,000 influential readers in the region. Donors who contribute $5,000 or more have the option to create an Education Fund of a chosen name. Named Education Funds of $5,000 or more will be added to the CAM Donor Wall.

Ways to Join:

• Online
• Visit us at CAM
• Phone us at (213) 485-8453
• Mail a completed membership form and check to:

Chinese American Museum
c/o Membership
125 Paseo de la Plaza, #300
Los Angeles, CA 90012