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Giving Opportunities

We invite you to become involved in making a difference today and in the future.

Make a Difference

Support your favorite program or initiative.

Pacific Battleship Center, a reputable 501(c)3 non-profit, operates programs that focus on igniting curiosity, connecting communities, and enhancing understanding of America’s role in maritime peace and prosperity.

Pacific Battleship Center’s family of brands include Battleship IOWA, National Museum of the Surface Navy, LA Fleet Week, Freedom of the Seas, Camp Battleship, Veteran’s West, and Vicky’s Doghouse Cafe.

A Decade of Success

  • 2012 – Battleship IOWA, L.A.’s #4 museum
  • 2014 – STEM Education Programs
  • 2016 – First LA Fleet Week, Community Resiliency Programming, Industry Experts in Hull Preservation
  • 2019 – “National Museum of the Surface Navy” (NMSN) Licensed by the US Navy
  • 2019 – Established Veterans West
  • 2021 – Congressionally licensed “National Museum of the Surface Navy”
  • 2022 – Opened Vicky’s Doghouse, a top-rated food venue

Measurable Annual Impact

  • Education for over 20,000 students
  • Direct services for over 7,500 veterans
  • Connection opportunities for over 250,000 guests at LA Fleet Week
  • Experiences and events for 12,500 veterans
  • Approximately $11.4MM annually for local economy, sustaining 280 jobs
  • LA Waterfront Anchor Attraction and LA’s #4 Museum

Reputable

Transparent

Funding Sources

  • No government funding towards operations.
  • 47% from donors.
  • 53% from program revenue.

Donate & Sponsorship

Donate Today

Cash, check, and credit card donations are accepted online, by phone, and in mail.  Choose your favorite program online or tell us when donating on the phone or in mail.  Popular programs are General, National Museum of the Surface Navy, Ship Preservation, Education, Veterans, and Community Resilience.

  • By Phone:  877-446-9261 ext. 747
  • By Mail:  Pacific Battleship Center, Attn: Development Department, 250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, CA  90731
  • Email us at development@labattleship.com

Donations to Pacific Battleship Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, are tax deductible subject to certain limits and restrictions imposed by tax laws.  Consult a tax professional for specific advice.  Pacific Battleship Center’s tax ID for donation purposes is 26-3934742.

Plank Owner Charter Member

Our “Plank Owner” Charter Membership is free to sign-up for and provides you the opportunity to accrue your donations and be recognized on the Quarterdeck of Honor when the National Museum of the Surface Navy aboard Battleship IOWA opens in 2025.

Events & Sponsorship

We host events throughout the year that help us reach America and make a greater impact in fulfilling our mission to ignite curiosity, connect communities, and enhance understanding.  These events are possible due to generous donations and sponsorship from individuals, foundations, and corporations.  Our most popular events include Gravely Experience and Student Essay Contest, USS Iowa Lamberti Service Award, LA Fleet Week and Memorial Day, Freedom of the Seas Awards, and Veterans Day.

Now is the time to make a lasting impact with a legacy gift.  Include Pacific Battleship Center in your estate plan to support your favorite programs to continue inspiring curiosity, connect communities, and enhance understanding of America’s role in maritime peace and prosperity.  Pacific Battleship Center programs include the Battleship IOWA, National Museum of the Surface Navy, LA Fleet Week, Veterans West, Education, Community Resilience, and Vicky’s.  Declare your legacy gift to become a member of the John Paul Legacy Society and enjoy the benefits now!

  • Bequests.  Looking for a way to make a significant gift to help further our mission? A bequest is a gift made through your will or trust. It is one of the most popular and flexible ways that you can support our cause.
  • IRA Charitable Rollover.  An IRA rollover allows people age 70 1/2 and older to reduce their taxable income by making a gift directly from their IRA.
  • Charitable Remainder Trust.  Concerned about the high cost of capital gains tax with the sale of an appreciated asset? Perhaps you recently sold property and are looking for a way to save on taxes this year and plan for retirement. A charitable remainder unitrust might offer the solutions you need!
  • Donor Advised Funds.  Pacific Battleship Center (PBC) accepts grants through Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). Please contact development@labattleship.com or call 877.446.9261 x 747 to notify our organization where your fund is being held to initiate a grant.
  • Gifts of Stocks and Bonds.  Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to our organization.
  • Vehicle Donations. Donate your vehicle and support your favorite program.

In-Kind / Pro-Bono

In-kind and pro-bono donations of materials, products, and services allow us to re-allocate funding to other urgent needs around the ship and take our mission further.  Examples of products and services include paint, wood, steel, electrical, computers, IT, office furniture, design services, professional services, fire protection, vehicles, mooring lines, tools, container and storage, food and beverage, garbage cans, HVAC, artifacts, and much more!  Email development@labattleship.com to let us know how you want to help!  If you are donating an item or service, please fill out the paperwork for recognition.

Volunteer

Volunteers bring the Battleship IOWA and the National Museum of the Surface Navy to life and become a part of a family and community.  Volunteers range in age from teenagers to centenarians, are civilians and veterans, and coming from all walks in life.  Learn more today by filling out an application below.  Tasks and jobs available include administrative, operations, security, tour guides, fundraising, ambassadors, and everything in between. Become part of something special, as we forge the path to the museum of the future in support of our nation and communities.

Artifacts help us tell the story of the Battleship IOWA and the Surface Navy.  We accept a variety of artifacts, when relevant, that will support in telling the story to the public in the future.  Unfortunately our storage and display space is limited, so we are unable to accept all artifacts or guarantee that the go on display.

Artifacts

Our artifact collection policy requires that only Museum Collection Staff is able to accept items.  A receipt will be issued to you once the items are accepted.  All other artifacts that are left at the ship and not with the collection staff or mailed randomly will be treated as abandoned property.  For more information, contact the Curator’s office at 877-446-9261 ext. 713 or email dway@labattleship.com.  Please attach a photo of the item when emailing us.

Site developed by Wicked Code, Inc. and funded by The Edward E. & Marie L. Matthews Foundation •  Photos by Rick Stipa Photography
Other photos - US Navy Archives and National Archives

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