Help us transform Manchester Museum into the most inclusive, imaginative, and caring museum in the world.

Founded on the civic spirit, scientific curiosity, and generosity of the people of Manchester, Manchester Museum has always been free and open to all. Proudly part of the University of Manchester, a deep commitment to teaching, learning and research is in our DNA. But our history also reflects the legacies of Empire, and today, we are committed to addressing this history in ways that recognise harm and encourage healing.

Our mission to build understanding between cultures and a more sustainable world has never been more urgent or necessary than it is now. We have bold and ambitious plans for the future, and we can only achieve them with the support of generous individuals who share our vision and values.

Every gift makes a difference, but major philanthropic donations have the power to create extraordinary, lasting change. Your generous support could help us:

Advance our mission to build understanding between cultures and a more sustainable world
Conserve and celebrate our unique collections
Deliver vital projects which otherwise would not have been possible.

We work closely with philanthropists to ensure your gift aligns with your passions and creates a meaningful legacy. Whether you wish to support a specific part of our collection, develop pioneering global partnerships, or deliver transformative local engagement, your contribution will have a deep and enduring impact.

“Manchester Museum is a place of wonder and curiosity where visitors can experience exhibitions that tell powerful stories and engage with big ideas. We are dedicated to building a more sustainable world and understanding between cultures in everything we do. With your support, we’re working towards becoming the most inclusive, imaginative and caring museum you will ever visit.”
Esme Ward, Director, Manchester Museum

LION DANCE, DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS.

EUROPEAN MUSEUM OF THE YEAR 2025. MEMBERS OF THE TEAM ACCEPT THE PRIZE.

How your support makes an impact…

Collections and Exhibitions Fund

Our spectacular collection of over 4.5 million objects sits at the heart of everything we do, telling rich stories about what it means to be human, building connections between cultures, and helping us to better understand some of the most pressing global issues.

By supporting the Collections and Exhibitions Fund, you can help us conserve and learn from the collections we care for and use them to inspire and delight visitors for years to come.

Donations to this fund help us to…

Conserve and care for the 4.5 million objects in our collections.
Support new acquisitions of culturally and historically significant objects.
Create ambitious exhibitions which explore the richness of our world, engage with big ideas, and address global challenges.
Drive cutting-edge collections research, from amphibian conservation in our Vivarium, to our sector-leading indigenous perspectives initiatives, and provenance research with global partners and local communities.
Make our collections more accessible to everyone, from local communities to enthusiasts worldwide.

HARLEQUIN TOADS, A CRITICALLY-ENDANGERED SPECIES AT THE HEART OF VITAL CONSERVATION WORK DONE BY OUR VIVARIUM.

DADIKWAKWA-KWA (SHELL DOLLS), ON DISPLAY IN THE MUSEUM THANKS TO A GROUNDBREAKING COLLABORATION WITH THE ABORIGINAL ANINDILYAKWA COMMUNITY, RESULTING FROM OUR REPATRIATION WORK.

Learning and Engagement Fund

Manchester Museum is on a mission to become the most imaginative, inclusive, and caring museum you’ll ever visit. We know access to culture has the power to transform lives; broadening horizons through new and diverse perspectives and strengthening community connections through shared understanding.

By supporting the Learning and Engagement Fund, you can create joy for our visitors, spark curiosity in the next generation of learners, and help us become a place where everyone in our communities belong.

Donations to this fund help us to…

Sustain and grow our schools’ programme and develop curriculum-based learning activities.
Deliver free community events for families, early years, and adult learners.
Curate a vibrant year-round public events programme for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Expand our social justice and environmental engagement programmes, creating real impact locally.