Associated Press - November 6, 2009 7:05 AM ET

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - A second endowment fund has been created to support the University of Wyoming geological museum.

The university says the S.H. Knight Memorial Fund currently has $18,000.

The Friends of the S.H. Knight Geological Museum donated $8,000, and John and Susan Masterson donated $10,000.

UW officials say they'll use a state matching endowment fund to match donations past $50,000 and up to $750,000.

The university closed the museum in July as part of budget cuts. Public outcry prompted the university to reopen the museum on a part-time basis in August.

In September, the Anne C. and Brainerd Mears, Jr. Excellence Fund for University of Wyoming Geological Museum was established with a $570,000 donation from the Mears.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.