JANM is honored to announce that it has received a $20 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
This transformative gift is the largest single gift in JANM’s history and, like her donation of $10 million in 2021, is unrestricted, allowing the Museum to determine the best use of the funds at a pivotal moment for its future. This morning’s press announcement is available on our website.
We are extraordinarily grateful to MacKenzie Scott for her historic vision and generosity. This remarkable gift comes as JANM is poised for a new and exciting future. We enter the new year with a reinvigorated commitment to our mission, stronger-than-ever support from the community, and great anticipation for a transformed Museum experience when we reopen in 2026.
Her first gift of $10 million made it possible for JANM to expand our programming as well as to serve our community and reach new people throughout our current renovation. A validation of the importance of our mission and the impact of our programming, this new gift brings a unique opportunity for JANM to invest in its future, to attain a new level of financial stability, and to lean into its legacy as a keeper of history and a beacon of democracy and social justice.
We are so excited that you are a part of the future that lies ahead for JANM. Thank you for being a part of our Museum community.
Featured image: The Japanese American National Museum’s Pavilion building. Photo by Paloma Dooley.
This is wonderful news after reading in LAist about the museum standing up to DC. I will include JANM in my – very small – donation cycle for 2026.
Congratulations to JANM and thank goodness for wonderful people like MacKenzie Scott!
Barbara, I came to the site after reading the exact same LAist article and to buy a t-shirt. What wonderful news for JANM!!
Mackenzie Scott is an amazing compassionate person. Not many wealthy people give from the heart. We appreciate her generosity in continuing education, history and the arts of the Japanese community. God bless people like Mackenzie Scott.
This is incredible news! A $20 million unrestricted gift from MacKenzie Scott will truly allow JANM to shape its future in meaningful ways. The fact that this follows her previous $10 million donation shows her deep commitment to the Museum’s mission.
What a pivotal moment for JANM—such generosity will undoubtedly create lasting impact. The trust placed in the Museum to allocate these funds wisely speaks volumes about its work.
As a longtime supporter, I’m thrilled to see this recognition of JANM’s importance. Unrestricted gifts of this scale are rare and will open so many possibilities for growth and innovation.
GLM5
This is incredible news for JANM! The fact that MacKenzie Scott’s $20 million gift is unrestricted shows such deep trust in the Museum’s vision and leadership. I can’t wait to see how this transformative donation will shape JANM’s future programs and community impact.
Seeddance3