The Park Avenue Foundation has announced the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts in Madison is its newest beneficiary.

The Park Avenue Foundation is a unique model, utilizing revenues from the Park Avenue Club (www.parkavenueclub.com), the upscale private dining club in Florham Park to fund important programing provided by nonprofits.

The museum’s mission is to foster the understanding and appreciation of America’s past through educational programming and interpretation of the history, culture, and lives of the people of New Jersey from its earliest settlement through present day.

The museum preserves its collection of early “technologies” in an impressive building located in   Madison.

According to Gregory Smith, executive director of Park Avenue Club, “Our members know that when they dine with us or host an event, they are helping to change lives for the better. The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts goal to provide diverse educational programs for people of all ages and backgrounds aligns nicely with our club’s mission.”  

METC Executive Director Deborah Farrar Starker says, “As long as we hold true to our mission and acknowledge our role as a public resource, we are confident that we can continue to engage our audience by telling great stories, showing that our artifacts are personally relevant to visitors, and providing educational programming to thousands of students each year.

The funding provided by the generous members of the Park Avenue Club will help us to continue to offer the diverse programming that so many area residents and visitors have grown to enjoy.”

At a time when nonprofits are in need of creative sources to fund their programs, Park Avenue Foundation provides an ongoing revenue stream that does not rely on public funds, but rather supports nonprofits by offering an outstanding experience to the members of Park Avenue Club.

Park Avenue Club membership is comprised of families and individuals, as well as corporate executives. They utilize the club for personal and business networking and entertaining, as well as hosting private events such as weddings, mitzvahs, celebrations, meetings and the like. Profits are shared with participating nonprofit organizations.

The Park Avenue Club, with an IRS designation of 501(c)(7), is the only private club in the nation that exists primarily to benefit the multiple charities and cultural organizations of the Park Avenue Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

For over 20 years, club members have experienced and enhanced their social and business lives at the club all while supporting the Foundation’s nonprofit organizations.  Via the Park Avenue Club and the Park Avenue Foundation relationship, more than $6 million has been provided to the nonprofits of the Park Avenue Foundation since inception.  

For Park Avenue Membership Information, call 973-301-8233.