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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Navy SEAL Museum San Diego Reaches Fundraising Goal Through Wilneff Challenge

Matching Gift Campaign Completes Funding for Museum’s San Diego Showcase and Builds Momentum for Future Expansion

SAN DIEGO, CA – January 13, 2026 – The Navy SEAL Museum San Diego announced today that it successfully reached its 2025 fundraising goal through a $2 million matching initiative named The Wilneff Challenge, led by longtime museum supporters Marla and Mitch Wilneff. Through The Wilneff Challenge, every dollar donated between October and December 2025 was matched by the Wilneffs, up to $1 million, with the funds supporting the opening of the museum’s San Diego Showcase location on Kettner Boulevard. The campaign energized broad donor participation and provided the momentum needed to complete funding for the museum’s initial San Diego presence, deliberately designed to build awareness and make a positive impact in the region, as the organization advances toward its long-term goal of much larger, world-class venue in the future.

“This achievement reflects the extraordinary generosity and leadership of Marla and Mitch Wilneff,” said Vice Admiral Tim Szymanski, USN (Ret.), Chief Executive Officer of the Navy SEAL Museum. “Their support helped us reach our 2025 goal of fully funding the Showcase build and validated that our mission resonates deeply—not just with the Naval Special Warfare community, but with the broader public.”

“The Wilneffs’ commitment will be permanently recognized at the museum through the naming of our Call to Action Wall in their honor,” Captain Brian Drechsler, USN (Retired), Navy SEAL Museum San Diego Executive Director added. “The Call to Action Wall is a central museum feature that challenges visitors to reflect on service to something bigger than themselves, and the Wilneffs’ example of selfless support embodies the very values the museum seeks to inspire.”

About Navy SEAL Museum San Diego
The Navy SEAL Museum San Diego exists to preserve history, support today’s force and families, and inspire future generations through a globally recognized story of service and adaptability. More than a museum, it is an active community partner dedicated to education, service, and public benefit. Through immersive storytelling and programming rooted in the SEAL Ethos and SWCC Creed, the Museum highlights how continuous training, adaptability, and teamwork produce lasting impact—on the battlefield and in everyday life.

The Navy SEAL Museum San Diego is an expansion of the National UDT–SEAL Museum located in Fort Pierce, Florida and builds upon its 40-year legacy.

For more information, visit NavySEALMuseumSD.org