NGO Funding Request


The recipient entity's full legal name:  The National World War II Museum, Inc

The recipient entity's physical address:
           945 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130-3813


The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           945 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130-3813


Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Robert Dupont

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  0790

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $9,273,300

What type of request is this?  Capital Outlay Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           2021-22 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

FOUNDER
Stephen E. Ambrose (1936-2002)

OFFICERS
Ted Weggeland, Chairman of the Board
John E. Koerner III, Immediate Past Chairman
John D. Georges, Vice Chair
Sonia A. Pêrez, Vice Chair
John M. Hairston, Secretary
Suzanne T. Mestayer, Vice Chairwoman
James E. Maurin, Treasurer
Stephen J. Watson, President & CEO

TRUSTEES
Richard C. Adkerson
Clifford S. Asness, PhD
Justin T. Augustine
Lawrence E. Bathgate, II
Brandon B. Berger
Donald T. “Boysie” Bollinger
Jessica Brandt
Michael S. Bylen
The Hon. Louis E. Caldera
Kevin G. Clifford
Henry L. Coaxum, Jr.
James A. Courter
Arnold W. Donald
Peter N. Foss
William A. Goldring
Charles W. “Chip” Goodyear
Thomas A. Gruber
Fleur C. Harlan
Hunter G. Hill
LTG Charles W. Hooper
C. Jeffrey Knittel
H. Merritt Lane III
Dennis P. Lauscha
Robert E. Smith Lupo
James E. Maurin
Peter J. Merlone
Robert W. Merrick
Michael A. Morris
Dennis A. Muilenburg
David Nierenberg
Pete November
Jane T. Olson
William M. Osborne III
Stephen G. Oswald
Robert J. Patrick
Lisa Pearl, PhD, JD
Robert L. Priddy
James J. Reiss, Jr.
Todd Ricketts
Deanna Rodriguez
Caren Rubin
Philip G. Satre
Robert A. “Bobby” Savoie, PhD
Laura Stephens
W. Gray Stream
Sharon Estill Taylor, PhD
St. Denis J. "Sandy” Villere
Governor Christine Todd Whitman
Governor Pete Wilson

PRESIDENT & CEO EMERITUS
Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, PhD

CHAIRMAN EMERITI
Herschel L. Abbott, Jr.¿
Richard C. Adkerson
Arthur Q. Davis
Robert E. Howson
MajGen. James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret.)
Lee H. Schlesinger
David R. Voelker ¿

TRUSTEES EMERITI
The Honorable Diana E. Bajoie
James L. Barksdale
Harold J. Bouillion
The Honorable Jacquelyn B. Clarkson
William M. Detweiler ¿
Richard L. Duchossois ¿
Louis M. Freeman
Robert T. Hayes
John E. Kushner ¿
John P. Laborde ¿
TG “Teddy” Solomon ¿
Frank B. Stewart, Jr.
Bruce N. Whitman ¿

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS
Col. Jack Jacobs, USA (Ret.)
MajGen. James E. Livington, USMC (Ret.)


Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Museum is requesting the current priority 1, 2 and 5 be reauthorized in fiscal year 2023-2024 to complete the Liberation Pavilion brick & mortar and exhibits, Freedom Theater, Beyond all Boundaries refresh, 1040 Magazine improvements, Malcom S. Forbes Rare & Iconic Artifact Gallery and Small Constance Warehouse.

New capital outlay request: While the Museum’s major expansion is nearing completion, the tremendous success of the Museum is driving the critical need to upgrade our back of house support resulting from increased visitation, more successful event rentals and our expanded programing related to distance learning, research, content development and digitization. To retain and enhance the Museum’s reputation for excellence we must explore ever more creative ways to attract and inspire segments of the population to participate in Museum functions and programs. Importantly as the exhibits age we must continue to maintain the visitor experience in the same manner as when an exhibit opened and we must constantly search for new and better ways including advances in technology to attract the next generation of visitors to the Museum. We must also continue to foster a work environment that attracts the best and brightest in the Museum fields.

The Museum is requesting a new $9,273,300 capital outlay allocation. That allocation would be used for the 'Big" Constance Street warehouse renovation, a much needed new entry to the Museum that will provide a visitor arrival experience that reflects the quality of the visitor experience, emergency power improvements for the Louisiana Pavilion in order to protect precious artifacts during energy failures, a major renovation of the original D-day exhibits now 20 years old, renovation of the third floor of 1040 Magazine Street building to create an innovative immersive management and student leadership training experience, completion of upgrades to our acclaimed multisensory presentation Beyond all Boundaries and construction of life safety improvements and personnel support space on the first floor of the parking garage.

The continued success of the Museum is contingent on building facilities and expanding programs that will attract and inspire visitors from across the country, ensuring The National WWII Museum will retain its ranking as one of the top museums in the world, and the top destination attraction in the State of Louisiana. Please note that on the prior funding section we combined general obligations bonds for $5,000,000 and $2,500,000 for 2021 that were funded in the same act (485) on a single line to provide space to list all of the prior funding. If the Museum purchases 1060 Magazine, the funds requested for Constance warehouses would be reallocated to 1060 Magazine.


What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $4,000,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $19,032,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The mission of The National WWII Museum is to tell the story of the war that changed the world - why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today - so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. Tom Hanks, an earlier spokesman for the $400M capital campaign, said, "The National WWII Museum is a place where you come to learn with your heart as well as your head." It has been described as a place where you go to feel America's greatness.

The State of Louisiana is fortunate to have America's National Museum honoring the generation that fought in World War II located in New Orleans. But beyond the mission of the Museum, the Museum is a major destination attraction for the City and the State. It is rated by Zagat's as the attraction with "Top Appeal" in the City of New Orleans. Almost 80% of the visitors to the Museum are from outside the New Orleans region. In surveys, fifty percent of the out-of-town visitors state the Museum as the first or second reason they came to New Orleans. Thirty percent of those visitors state The Museum is the primary reason for their visit. This defines The National WWII Museum as one of the true destination venues in the City and State. Surveys also show that visitors to the New Orleans stay an average of three days in the City. Current visitation for the Museum is over 800,000 and visitation is projected to grow to 1,000,000 upon completion of the expansion. The Museum is an economic engine for the City and the State responsible for driving 385,000 room nights a year. Additionally, the expanded Museum is driving ever increasing tax revenue.

State Funding for the Museum is a great investment because the State dollars are substantially leveraged with private funds.

As important as the direct economic impact is, the Museum has possibly a more profound impact on the City and State as a result of the positive image it creates arising out of the often very emotional visitor experiences, as well as the many national and international events sponsored by the Museum both here and in other parts of the country. The Museum is fortunate to have relationships with several national personalities such as Tom Hanks, Tom Brokaw, and Steven Spielberg, who often speak about the importance of the Museum to national audiences.

The National WWII Museum remains committed to our mission and to our City and State.


What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          BECOME THE FINEST HISTORY MUSEUM IN THE WORLD. We believe 300,000 square foot, $400M expansion when complete will make The National WWII Museum, which today is rated by Trip Advisor as the 3rd best museum in the U.S. and the 8th best museum in the world, the NUMBER ONE HISTORY MUSEUM in the WORLD.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           two years

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 n/a
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 n/a

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 n/a

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  n/a

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               n/a

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               n/a

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                n/a

          What is the nature of the relationship?  n/a

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 n/a

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               n/a


Contact Information
name:  Robert Farnsworth 
                                       address:  945 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

                                       phone:  5045281944 ext 450
                                       fax:  n/a
                                       e-mail:  bob.farnsworth@nationalww2museum.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Senior Vice President for Capital Programs