The purpose of the corporation of the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport is: to develop, encourage, and promote public awareness of the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport; to serve as a philanthropic organization for the support of the resources, programs and facilities of the NCMM at Southport; to render assistance as requested by the Museum; and, to acquire, hold, sell, convey, dispose, and administer real and personal estate and do any all things in furtherance of these purposes as permitted under Chapter 55A of the General Statutes of North Carolina.