Annual Giving

The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center invites you to visit, to learn, to join, to give, and to be an active part of this place - a place more than a museum but rather a community crossroads of the past, the future and all the opportunities of today.

All this is made possible by the strong support of our community — people like you who love Down East and appreciate the natural beauty, the people and the living heritage the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center celebrates every day of the year. Look at what we have all accomplished together since 2022. 

There is work to do here Down East, work that will make a difference along the shores of Core Sound and coastal North Carolina for years to come. With your support, we can ensure that the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center is able to able to be all that it has been called to be. Will you make a year-end gift? 

Winter Taste of Core Sound (February)
Down East has always been known for its home-cooked, seafood and wild game cooking traditions. The Winter Taste brings all that together, from stewed redheads and scallop fritters to collards and sweet potatoes, this sit-down dinner is a time to celebrate the hunting, fishing and cooking traditions of our communities.
Gold: $5000 Silver: $3000 Bronze: $1500

Core Sound Run (April)
The first Saturday of April continues to be one of the most family-oriented gatherings of the Core Sound year with more than 300 runners of all ages running, walking and strolling. The landscape, teams from local schools, the hospitality of the volunteers and the excitement of spring make this one of the Museum's most important events.
Event Sponsor: $5000/2500
Merch Sponsor: Shirt Sleeve $1500 • Kids’ Bags $1000 • Shirt Logo $500 • Shirt Listing $250
Youth Team/Group Sponsor: $250

All-American Shrimp Fry (July)
This summer event honors all those who serve our community including veterans and active military, first responders, powerline crews, teachers, law enforcement, and health care workers who we all depend on to keep us safe and healthy. The 2nd MAW Band from Cherry Point MCAS is always the high point of this celebration!
Lead Event Sponsor: $5000
Event Host Sponsor: $1000
Plate Sponsors Also Available At All Levels

• Core Sound Season •

Core Sound Christmas & Waterfowl Weekend
November and December have become Core Sound's Season to bring together the best of our communities in the spirit of Christmas and the love for waterfowling, Down East's "biggest weekend" is now a homecoming that draws thousands of friends and family to "the end of the road" to buy, sell, swap - and EXPERIENCE Core Sound's living heritage that has sustained these communities for generations.
Gold: $5000 Silver: $3000 Bronze: $1500
Core Sound Lights: $2500
Gallery of Trees: $1000
Friday Night Chow Down: Sponsor $1500 | Partner $1000 | Patron $500 | Friend $250

Core Sound Earth Day
Hundreds of school children from across Carteret County descend on Core Sound in mid-April to celebrate Earth Day with educators from across eastern North Carolina. Learning includes hands-on experiences in marine science, astronomy, wildlife habitat protection, decoy painting, commercial fishing, storytelling and much, much more.
Gold: $5000 Silver: $3000 Bronze: $1500

Core Sound Marine Science Academy
Building on the important vision of the Brad Sneeden Marine Science Academy, Core Sound now carries on this middle school week long program to offer opportunities for local students to explore the vast marine science network of university programs dedicated to research and education. Duke Marine Lab, UNC's Institute of Marine Sciences, NC State's CMAST labs, the National Park Service and other educational establishments are included in this program that now offers Marine Science Academy II internships for second year students.
Gold: $5000 Silver: $3000 Bronze: $1500

Summer Camps - Art, Science & Carving
During the summer months Core Sound's education staff welcomes students at all grade levels to learn AND enjoy exploration experiences. Art, photography and all kinds of place-based STEM activities and projects give students a new opportunities to learn more about the natural world around them, from the maritime forest of Willow Pond to seine netting along the shore, kids get wet and dirty while they explore. Our waterfowl camp combines wildlife science with the art of decoy carving to catch a glimpse of Core Sound's rich waterfowling history.
Gold: $5000 Silver: $3000 Bronze: $1500

Down East Teachers Institute
What began as a one-day conversation with teachers to share Down East's history and culture, is now a three-day teacher institute opening doors for local educators to learn more about Down East's communities, traditions and challenges. Former educators lead the experience and CSWM&HC staff works directly with the teachers to develop curriculum-based classroom and field trip experiences for their students.
Gold: $5000 Silver: $3000 Bronze: $1500

Become a Sponsor Now
Select each event(s), program(s), or project(s) you’d like to sponsor and click “Add to Cart”. You may add as many variants as you’d like to one transaction. Thank you in advance for your investment in the work of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center.

Sponsor one of the many community-decorated Crab Pot Trees.

Yearbook Advertising

Purchase an ad to be placed in our annual yearbook!

The Redhead Society provides resources for Core Sound Museum & Heritage Center's educational programming such as field trip supplies, summer programming and teaching tools for hands-on learning inside and out. Founded by Dr. Ike Southerland, the Redhead Society welcomes all who would like to support the learning that is taking place "at the end of the road." Join for a one-time gift of $250 and receive a special commissioned print of Core Sound Redheads by artist Lena Ennis of Carteret County.

Ways to remember/honor friends & Family

Memorial Donations

Remember a special friend or family member by making a contribution in their honor.

Effortless WAYS TO GIVE

PLANNED GIVING

Leave a legacy.  Planned giving is a simple way to make a lasting contribution to The Core Sound Museum and the Down East community. To discuss planned giving, please contact Karen Willis Amspacher, Executive Director, 252.723.0982. 

Year-End Giving

We humbly ask that you consider a gift to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center as part of your year-end giving. With your support, we can continue to be the vibrant place our community needs. Our sustainability now will determine our long-term future.