The Fund for the Preservation of the California State Mining and Mineral Museum was established June 10, 1999 as a not-for-profit corporation.

The mission of the fund is to protect, preserve, enhance, display and promote the state Mining and Mineral Collection as a historic and educational resource while providing adequate funding. Our primary activities and services center around raising the money to design, construct and ensure the long term economic viability of the California State Mining and Mineral Museum.

The Fund's board of directors has begun a $9,000,000 capital endowment campaign of which $6,000,000 will be used to construct a new 12,000 square foot museum with offices, retail shops, and food service. $3,000,000 will become a permanent endowment to support museum enhancement, educational programs, marketing, and operations.

Continuing operations will be supported with endowment fund earnings. The result will be a self-sustaining California State Parks Museum in the Mother Lode, located on the main road to Yosemite, and near the geographic center of California, with easy access from both the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas.