| AdminHistory | The Development Trust was established in May 1987. It was managed by the Development Trust Secretary to the Trustees and Development Trust Director. The Trustees were Main Board Trustees and other individuals. The Trustee meetings were held quarterly, and the papers of these meetings were generated by the Development Trust.
In 1991 the Development Trust assisted with the establishment of an international fundraising arm of the Museum, later known as the International Friends of the Natural History Museum London. The Trustees of the American Friends helped secure funding from US individuals and companies, whilst also raising the profile of the Museum in America by hosting small events. Staffing in the Trust was gradually increased to cover specific areas such as sponsorship and Trusts and Foundations.
In 1993 the Trust undertook its first Capital Campaign to raise funds for Charles Darwin’s home, Down House which had come under the care of the Museum. The Heritage Lottery Fund gave a grant of £1.73m and a total of £2.7m was raised and the care of the house was then transferred to English Heritage. As part of this Campaign, Development organised the first Annual Science Lecture, which has since then become an annual event.
One of Development’s larger projects was the re-development of the Earth Galleries. Lottery funding was secured for this and Development secured further funds towards its refurbishment. Other initiatives were introduced by the Development Trust such as annual balls and corporate membership schemes. The Development Trust also supported the Darwin Centre Campaign.
In May 2000 the Development Trust was disbanded and fundraising became a Department within the Museum, as agreed by the Development Trust Trustees and agreed by the Main Board. The final meeting of the Development Trust was held on 17 May 2000.
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