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Support Purpose, Connection, and Community.

Your support helps connect people to service, maritime careers, and the enduring importance of freedom of the seas.

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Your Support Makes It Possible

Your support brings the National Museum of the Surface Navy, Battleship IOWA, and the Freedom of the Seas Campus to life. Together, we connect people to service, maritime careers, history, and the enduring importance of freedom of the seas.

Every gift helps preserve the ship, expand meaningful experiences, and create opportunities for students, veterans, families, and communities to learn, connect, and discover their place in America’s maritime future.

Ways to Give

Give Today →

Make an immediate impact with a one-time gift supporting our programs, preservation, and public experiences.

Monthly Giving →

Provide ongoing monthly support for our programs, preservation, and public experiences.

Tribute Pavers →

Honor a person, family, or legacy with a personalized paver on the Freedom of the Seas Campus.

Legacy Society →

Create a lasting legacy by including Pacific Battleship Center in your estate plans.

Employer Matching Gift →

Increase the impact of your gift through your employer’s matching gift program.

Donor Advised Fund →

Recommend a grant from your donor-advised fund to support our mission and priorities.

Foundation Gift →

Support our programs, preservation, and public experiences through a foundation grant.

Corporate Sponsorship →

Align your company with our mission through sponsorships that support programs, events, and community impact.

In-Kind Gift →

Contribute goods, services, or expertise that help advance our mission.

Join Us

Leadership Society →

Join a dedicated community of annual donors providing sustained support for our programs, preservation, and community impact.

Patron →

Join our Patron community to stay connected, receive special updates and invitations, and be recognized for your support.

Volunteer →

Share your time and talents to help bring our mission to life for visitors, students, veterans, and the community.

Individual  |  Group  |   Crew Login

JPJ Legacy Society →

Join a community of supporters creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

CAMPAIGNS

Changing lives by investing in community.

Surface Navy Life of a Sailor

From boot camp to the fleet, Life of a Sailor connects America to its Surface Navy and Maritime Heritage through pop culture, stories, and interactive roles that come to life.

Learn More

Freedom of the Seas Park & Pavilion

A waterfront community use pavilion and park that creates jobs, provides opportunity, and connects area residents to there waterfront.

Learn More

Special Projects

We have numerous special and one-time opportunity projects that are essential but go unfunded. These projects range in cost from $500 to $25,000+.

Learn More
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FAQ's & MORE INFORMATION

Organization Information

Who or what is the Pacific Battleship Center?

The Pacific Battleship Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates the Battleship IOWA Museum, LA Fleet Week, and the future National Museum of the Surface Navy. Our mission is to honor service, educate youth, and inspire civic engagement through programs rooted in maritime heritage, veterans support, and community resilience.

Our focus is on people, not artifacts, and on creating impact through programs that inspire purpose, spark curiosity, and bring people together in meaningful ways.

What is your Vision & Mission?

Our Vision

To inspire global awareness of freedom of the seas.

Our Mission

To ignite curiosity, connect communities, and enhance understanding of America’s role in maritime peace and prosperity.

Is the Pacific Battleship Center a reputable nonprofit organization?

Yes. The Pacific Battleship Center is a trusted and transparent 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to fiscal responsibility, mission-driven impact, and public accountability.

We are proud to be recognized by leading nonprofit evaluators:

✅ Gold Seal of Transparency on Guidestar – View our Guidestar profile

⭐ Charity Navigator Rated – See our Charity Navigator rating

Our EIN (Tax ID) is 26-3934742. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

If you have any questions or need documentation for your giving records, please contact us at development@surfacenavymuseum.org.

 

What are the ways I can support your mission?

There are many impactful ways to support the Pacific Battleship Center and the future National Museum of the Surface Navy. Whether you want to give financially, volunteer your time, or leave a legacy, your contribution helps us honor service, educate youth, and strengthen our community. You can:

Every gift—no matter how it’s given—makes a lasting difference.

Will I receive a tax deduction for my donation?

Yes. The Pacific Battleship Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

After your gift is processed, you will receive an acknowledgment letter or email that can be used for your tax records.

Tax ID (EIN): 26-3934742

If you have any questions about your donation or need a duplicate receipt, please contact us at development@labattleship.com.

If I'm mailing a donation, who should I make the check payable to?

We are located aboard the historic Battleship USS Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles on the LA Waterfront in San Pedro, one of the most vibrant and diverse waterfront communities in Southern California.

Please make checks payable to Pacific Battleship Center. You can mail them to:

Pacific Battleship Center
250 S. Harbor Blvd.
San Pedro, CA 90731

I’d prefer to donate over the phone. Is that possible?

Yes! We’re happy to assist you with a donation by phone.

Please call us at (877) 446-9261 and select the option for Development or Donations.

Our team will ensure your gift is processed securely and answer any questions you may have.

Giving Opportunities

What programs do you offer?

Our programs fall under three core pillars — Education, Veterans, and Community — each focused on building bridges, inspiring curiosity, and fostering human connection. We use history as a platform, not a destination, creating inclusive spaces where people can discover purpose, relate across differences, and contribute to something greater than themselves.

🧭 Education

We ignite curiosity and inspire purpose through immersive experiences that connect people to stories of service, innovation, and leadership. Our education efforts reach both youth and the general public, creating learning environments that challenge, engage, and empower.

Programs include:

➤ Support Education Programs today: Donate online →

🎖 Veterans

We serve those who served by fostering connection, identity, and opportunity beyond the uniform. Our veterans programs are designed to reduce isolation, celebrate service, and create new pathways through soft-skills training, mentorship, and workforce access.

Programs include:

  • Transition Pathways
  • Skillbridge
  • Veterans Ceremonies & Events
  • Comradery & Purpose
  • Freedom of the Seas Pavilion (Veterans Resource Center – opening 2026)

Learn more about our Veterans Programs.

➤ Support Military & Veterans Programs today: Donate online →

🌎 Community

We activate public space, civic dialogue, and shared experiences that bring people together. Whether through regional resilience, neighborhood events, or national celebrations, our community programs strengthen trust, pride, and preparedness.

Programs include:

➤ Support Community Resilience Programs today: Donate online →

➤ Support Volunteer Programs today: Donate online →

Can my gift support a specific capital campaign or infrastructure project?

Yes! We welcome donors who wish to invest in transformational capital projects that will shape the future of our mission. Current capital priorities include:

National Museum of the Surface Navy — Opening in October 2025, this will be the first museum in the nation dedicated to the Surface Navy, featuring immersive storytelling and leadership experiences.
➤ Support the museum: Donate online →

Freedom of the Seas Pavilion — A 550-person waterfront venue supporting community programs, education, ceremonies, and events (opening in 2026).

Freedom of the Seas Park — A dynamic public space with memorials, monuments, and outdoor exhibits honoring service and maritime heritage.
➤ Want to leave your mark? Sponsor a Legacy Paver →

Battleship IOWA Preservation and Maintenance — Critical restoration and upkeep of Battleship IOWA to ensure she remains a living symbol of freedom and service.
➤ Support the ship today: Donate online →

To learn more about naming opportunities, sponsorships, or leadership gifts, please contact us at development@surfacenavymuseum.org.

Do you offer monthly giving options?

Yes — and it's one of the most impactful ways to support our mission long term.

When you donate online, simply select the “Make this a monthly donation” option.

Recurring donations help us plan ahead and sustain programs for veterans, students, and the community year-round.

Even small monthly gifts add up to big impact over time.

 

Can I dedicate my donation to someone special?

Yes! You can make a donation in honor or in memory of a loved one, veteran, friend, or shipmate.

During the donation process, simply indicate it’s a tribute gift and include the name of the individual in the "Write a note" box online or by adding it to the memo section of your check.

You can also choose to have an acknowledgment sent to their family or another recipient if you'd like.  Please email development@labattleship.com or call 877-446-9261, if you would like us to send an acknowledgment to their family.

Tribute gifts are a powerful way to celebrate life, service, and legacy.

 

 

Can my foundation or donor-advised fund (DAF) make a grant to support your work?

Absolutely! We gladly accept grants from foundations, charitable trusts, and donor-advised funds. Contact us at development@labattleship.com or 877-446-9261 for grant-specific documentation or assistance.

Can my employer match my donation?

Yes! We participate in most employer matching gift programs. Check with your HR or benefits team—your gift could be doubled or even tripled. Need help? Reach out and we’ll gladly assist.

Can my company's ERG or team volunteer together?

Absolutely! We welcome employee groups, veterans’ ERGs, and company volunteer teams aboard Battleship IOWA for meaningful service projects. To schedule a group opportunity, email volunteer@labattleship.com.

 

Can I donate personal or family military artifacts to the museum?

We accept select artifacts that support the mission and exhibit themes of Battleship IOWA or the National Museum of the Surface Navy. To inquire, please contact our curatorial team at collections@labattleship.com before sending any items.