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The National Constitution Center plans to broaden its fund-raising efforts, looking nationally and even seeking contributions from partisan groups - as long as there are no strings attached.
In making the moves, the museum will start down seemingly divergent paths. On one hand, its mission is to be an independent, nonpartisan organization geared to increasing the public's understanding of the Constitution and its relevance to daily life. Two years ago, its directors even adopted a policy against allowing political figures on the board, in an effort to prevent influence peddling within its halls.
But, in taking a new tack in its fund raising, the Constitution Center also takes on what can be a balancing act, accepting dollars from advocacy groups while holding their views at arm's length. "We're a national institution, and I'd like our funding and our board to reflect that,'' said President and CEO Rick Stengel, who in March became the 16-month-old Constitution Center's second director.
While cash-strapped nonprofits are increasingly having to pursue dollars from partisan groups, no one has suggested that the Constitution Center will at any time be home to, say, the NRA Second Amendment Right-to-Bear Arms Exhibit - the museum version of a bowl-game sponsorship. The watchword is caution.
"If the NRA wanted to fund a gun-control exhibit, if you accept a gift, To say this is our point about gun control,' that's a...