High Desert Museum

As a VENUE: Host an event…

Unforgettable events! High Desert Museum provides the perfect rental venue for a wonderfully memorable special event, whether it be a * Wedding * Bar Mitzvah * Bat Mitzvah * Family Reunion * Anniversary Party * Corporate Party * Trade Show, or * Conference. Set on 135 forested acres, the Museum’s wood, stone and glass emanate warmth and elegance. Your group will be surrounded by fine art and priceless artifacts. From sophisticated exhibit halls to scenic terraces to corporate meeting rooms, we offer a range of flexible spaces for your special event. Our experienced staff works directly with top catering companies and other local vendors to help create a seamless experience.There are six distinctive event spaces:
* Schnitzer Entrance Hall
* Birds of Prey Pavilion
* Exhibition Hallways
* Rimrock Cafe & Patio
* Boardroom
* Classroom A

Support the High Desert Museum… by simply booking your next special occasion here:

https://highdesertmuseum.org/event-rental/

As a SHOP: Discover unique merchandise…

Silver Sage Trading

Looking for unique * art * books * jewelry * toys * cards ornaments * gifts, and * apparel that speak to your love of the High Desert? Then visit the Museum’s Silver Sage Trading where you can find it all in one place.
In addition to a great selection of books on High Desert culture and history, we offer local and regional * crafts * jams and * barbeque sauces * custom Museum mementos * glass decor items * plush animals * educational toys and games for all ages. Silver Sage jewelry is of the highest quality, crafted by Native Americans and local artisans. Pieces feature inlaid sterling silver with opal, onyx, lapis, turquoise, freshwater pearls, porcupine quills and more. Proceeds from all sales directly support the High Desert Museum’s vision to cultivate a world where people and the landscape thrive together.

Support the High Desert Museum… by simply purchasing your speciality merchandise here:

https://highdesertmuseum.org/silver-sage-trading/

As an EATERY: Food for thought…

Rimrock Café:

Take a break and enjoy a great lunch or healthy snack in the café while you’re visiting the Museum! We serve: * homemade soups * made-to-order sandwiches * wraps * salads * delicious daily specials often inspired by our ever-changing exhibits, and * an array of beverages. The Rimrock Café is doing its part to support a healthy planet! We use compostable to-go containers, avoid single-use plastics whenever possible and put recycling at the forefront of our day-to-day tasks. Additionally, we source our food seasonally and are committed to fighting food waste. If you’d like to enjoy the Rimrock Café without visiting the rest of the Museum, just ask for a pass from the Admissions Desk when you arrive. Join us in our comfortable, casual dining atmosphere. And, in the warmer months, you can dine on our beautiful patio, surrounded by tall trees.

Support the High Desert Museum… by simply dining here:

https://highdesertmuseum.org/rimrock-cafe/

Be a DONOR: Show that you care…

Help us make an impact!

Membership

Donation

Thanks to your generous support, the High Desert Museum has offered inspiring exhibitions, programs, wildlife encounters and art that connect visitors to the natural beauty and human ecology of the High Desert region for 35 years. Your donation helps educate future generations with unforgettable learning experiences that are not available anywhere else. Please * help us maintain our early childhood education programs such as Little Wonders that contribute to expanding critical thinking skills and developing an interest in science. * Help us present nine new exhibits a year that engage and entertain. * Help make the Museum accessible to 14,000 families every year who can’t afford to visit. * Help us care for our otters and other animals. We spend more than $27,000 a year to keep our mammals, raptors, reptiles and amphibians healthy and well-fed. Giving feels good, and it’s tax deductible. The High Desert Museum is a 501(c)3 and it’s easy to donate online.

• Donations at specified amounts are designated or you may customize your gifts. Donations of any amounts may be made as a * One-Time Gift * Weekly * Monthly * Quarterly, and * Annually. You may donate on behalf of a business, organization, or in memory, honor, or tribute to a special person or occasion.
• Desert Sage Society: Join a special community of donors! When you contribute to the High Desert Museum, a part of you becomes a part of the High Desert – now and for generations to come. As a Desert Sage Society (DSS) member, you’ll have the opportunity to share a more intimate relationship with the Museum, its leadership, other supporters and all the incredible exhibits and collections. As your commitment grows, so do the benefits to you, your family and to the community. Desert Sage Society Levels include: * FELLOW * CURATOR’S CIRCLE *  MUSEUM ASSOCIATE * DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL, and * FOUNDER’S CIRCLE.
• Corporate Support: Strengthen Your Community and Enhance Employee Benefits. Partnering with the High Desert Museum not only supports a vital community resource, but it also enhances your company’s visibility and commitment to local culture. Today’s consumers prefer businesses that invest in their communities. With corporate support starting at just $1,000 annually, your organization can make a meaningful impact. For more information, contact our Development Manager.
• Corporate Membership: A corporate membership is an investment in a cherished institution that provides year-round benefits. Corporate members receive a transferable membership pass, exclusive discounts at the Museum store, café, and events, and prominent recognition as a donor. Your support enables the High Desert Museum to continue delivering exceptional programming and exhibits to the community.
• Sponsorship Opportunities: Elevate your brand’s presence by aligning with a cultural cornerstone. Sponsoring the High Desert Museum provides access to a broad audience, from engaged visitors to influential community leaders, offering unparalleled marketing exposure. Our custom-designed sponsorship packages include recognition through high-traffic exhibits, popular educational programs, and signature events. As a sponsor, you’ll receive a transferable corporate pass, granting access for two adults and three children per visit, which can be used to entertain clients or reward employees.Let us craft a sponsorship package tailored to meet your company’s goals while fostering goodwill with both your employees and customers.
• Planned Giving: What will be your legacy? You can play an important role in shaping the High Desert Museum’s future through a legacy or “planned” gift. Large or small, a gift from your estate can have a long-term impact on the Museum. From caring for wildlife, to funding children’s programs or creating an exhibit, your legacy will make a difference for generations to come! Benefits for you and your family:
• Legacy Giving: You can play a vital role in shaping the High Desert Museum’s future through a legacy or planned gift. A legacy gift is a meaningful way to reflect your values, celebrate your passions, and make a difference for years to come. By including the High Desert Museum in your estate plans, you ensure that future generations will continue to explore, learn and be inspired.There are many ways to create a legacy, from a simple bequest in your will, gifts of retirement assets, life insurance or charitable trusts. We invite you to explore the possibilities and discover how your generosity can help shape the future of the High Desert Museum. By making a legacy gift, you’ll join a community of forward-thinking supporters in the R.W. Chandler Legacy Society. As a member, you’ll be honored with special recognition, exclusive events, unique learning opportunities, and meaningful connections with others who share your passion for the High Desert Museum. Legacy Giving Opportunities Include: (Your gift, and the lives it will impact, can be your legacy.)
  • Bequest – A simple way to make a lasting impact by including the High Desert Museum as a beneficiary in your will or trust. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or a residuary gift.
  • Retirement Assets – Naming the Museum as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement plan can provide a tax-efficient way to give.
  • Life Insurance – You can donate a policy you no longer need or name the Museum as a beneficiary to create a meaningful legacy.
  • Charitable Remainder Trust – Provides income to you or a loved one for life, with the remaining assets benefiting the High Desert Museum.
  • Charitable Lead Trust – Support the Museum for a set period while preserving assets for your heirs.
  • Charitable Gift Annuity – Allows you to make a gift to the Museum while receiving fixed lifetime payments, with the remaining funds supporting the High Desert Museum.
  • Real Estate & Other Assets – Gifts of property, securities, or other assets can provide significant support while offering potential tax benefits.
  • Donor Advised Fund – Name the High Desert Museum as beneficiary, ensuring that any remaining funds support our mission beyond your lifetime.             
    • Legacy gifts can support the Museum in many ways, from funding immediate needs to strengthening our endowmentensuring financial sustainability for generations to come. We encourage you to consult your professional advisor to determine the best giving option for your financial and philanthropic goals.
• Adopt an Animal from the High Desert Museum: You can adopt your favorite animal and help provide the expert care and nutrition they need for as little as $30. The High Desert Museum cares for more than 100 animals, from magnificent bald eagles to river otters and desert tortoises. As an adoptive animal parent, you are supporting the work of our wildlife staff and volunteers who care for animals at the Museum. Many of the animals have non-releasable injuries, meaning they could not survive in the wild. They all require ongoing veterinary care and specialized diets to maintain their health and well-being. Every animal is provided special food that gives them the essential nutrients they would obtain in the wild. It costs $1,700 a year to care for an eagle, and as much as $7,500 a year to care for one otter. By adopting one of the listed animals here, you can help us provide for their care, and in turn, support the Museum’s ongoing conservation efforts. It’s easy! And it makes a great gift! Adoption Packages include: * KEEPER * COMPANION, and * GUARDIAN. Animals included:  Bald Eagles * Barn Owls * Bobcats * Desert Tortoises * Falcons * Great Horned Owls * River Otters * Porcupine * Western Rattlesnakes * Red-Tailed Hawks, and Rainbow Trout.
• High Desert Rendezvous: The High Desert Museum’s signature fundraiser is one of the longest-running fundraisers in Central Oregon. You don’t want to miss our annual celebration of the Museum’s mission to wildly excite and responsibly teach through innovative, interdisciplinary experiences, creating connection to and dialogue about the High Desert. The High Desert Rendezvous helps support the Museum’s educational programs, bringing science, art, and history education to lifelong learners throughout the region.   
• Volunteer: Devoted, caring volunteers bring the High Desert Museum to life. Join a volunteer family who shares a passionate interest in the wildlife, culture and history of the High Desert. Volunteers help the Museum in a variety of ways and, in the process, gain a sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction. The Museum has many volunteer opportunities for you! New Adult Volunteer Orientations are held monthly, September through May.