Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the Annual Fund?
A: Gifts to the Annual Fund are unrestricted contributions which support every aspect of the Museum’s operations, exhibitions, and educational programming.

Q: Why give to the Annual Fund?
A: Unrestricted money can frequently be used in the most productive way possible because it comes with no strings attached.  However, if a person wants to designate Annual Fund money for something specific, he or she can do that.

Q: Why do you ask me every year?
A: Donors who give consistently are particularly valuable, as they are investing in the work of the Museum year after year.  Participation is key: every gift matters.  No matter how small a gift is, it’s important.  It represents a decision.  Smaller gifts are often catalysts for larger gifts, and the Annual Fund is the perfect place to put gifts of all sizes to work by pooling them during the year.

Q: I pay my membership every year, isn’t that enough?
A: Membership income makes up less than 7% of the Museum’s annual operating budget.  While we honor our loyal members, we hope that you’ll consider an additional gift to the Annual Fund.

Q: How are Annual Fund gifts used?
A: The Annual Fund helps support all of the activities of the Museum:  from defraying the expenses of the 30,000 children and adults who visit the Museum for free each year, to keeping the lights on!

Q: Is the Museum tax exempt?
A: Yes.  We are a federally recognized 501 (c) (3) corporation.

Q: Will my gift be tax deductible?
A: Gifts to the Annual Fund are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Q: My company will match my gift, what do I need to do?
A: Contact your company’s Human Resource or Personnel department, and ask for a matching gift form.  Complete the form and send it to us along with your contribution, and we’ll do the rest.

Q: When should I make a gift to the Annual Fund?
A: We always welcome your support, but a gift early in the year will help us to accurately plan our income and expenses.  Many donors find that the end of the calendar year is the best time to make a gift.  Gifts made by December 31st can be deducted from your taxes for the year the gift was made.

Q: How will my gift be acknowledged?
A: We will send you a tax acknowledgement letter shortly after receiving your gift.  It will include all of the information you need to claim the gift as a charitable contribution.  Additionally, cumulative gifts to the Museum of $100+ in a calendar year are acknowledged in our Annual Report.