CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) Board of Trustees approved a resolution today authorizing CMC to become the sole member of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (NURFC), joining NURFC into the CMC family of organizations. This follows a period of due diligence that was initiated in February when the NURFC Board of Trustees expressed the intent and authorized amendments to NURFC bylaws permitting the organizations to join.

Cincinnati Museum Center is regarded as a national model of excellence as a result of the successful integration of multiple museums. Union Terminal re-opened its doors in 1990 as home to the legacy institutions: Museum of Natural History & Science (established in 1818) and the Cincinnati Historical Society (1831), and the Robert D. Lindner OMNIMAX Theatre. These three corporate structures became one organization in 1995 gaining operating efficiencies. The Cincinnati Childrens Museum joined this corporate structure in 1997 and was later renamed as the Duke Energy Childrens Museum. Additionally, Enjoy the Arts (1981) and the Helen Steiner Rice Foundation joined CMCs corporate structure in 2009.

This is a powerful alignment of iconic and inspirational museums, said Francie S. Hiltz, chair of Cincinnati Museum Center Board of Trustees. The result is a creative and dynamic partnership, offering financial strength and new opportunities for each museum and our community.

The two world-renowned institutions will maintain their own brands and distinct missions, but are now positioned to contribute more to the community and the nation. For the purpose of charitable gifts and other revenue, each organization will be a separate 501(c)(3) legal charity. Within a period of approximately sixty days, technology, human resources, operating systems and processes will be integrated.

I am sincere in my gratitude for the generous spirit of collaboration and future vision shown by the trustees and management of Cincinnati Museum Center, said Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr. presiding co-chair of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Our duty as community leaders and as institutions of learning and dialogue is to share the lessons of our history that inspire courageous steps for freedom today. Through this more efficient corporate structure we know we can offer more to our community.

The Board of Trustees of Cincinnati Museum Center will have financial oversight to the combined corporate structure. The Board of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is responsible for fundraising, oversight of programming and for enhancing the image of the Freedom Center, locally, nationally and globally.

Further, the Cincinnati Museum Center Trustees elected today the following NURFC officers: Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr. and John Pepper as Board Co-Chairs; Douglass W. McDonald, CEO ; A. Larry Sisk as CFO; and Kim Robinson, as Executive Director.

During the period of due diligence, CMC had elected NURFC trustees, Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr., John Pepper, Phil Castellini, and Edwin Rigaud to the CMC Board of Trustees. At todays meeting, CMCs board also elected Marty Dunn and Mitchel Livingston as trustees.

Local and national funding partners recognize the administrative efficiencies created through this structure. Improved effectiveness and maximized resources are critically important to the missions of the museums and provide renewed sustainability to National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Donors have given financial and in-kind support driven by a deep appreciation for this creative community solution and in celebration of the mission of the Freedom Center. Since the announcement NURFC received a $5 million one-to-one challenge grant to grow the endowment. To date, the endowments value is $3 million.

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Cincinnati Museum Center Trustees Approve Resolution to Join National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Into ...