Frequently Asked Questions

Donors’ stories give some insights into how different gifts have made a difference. The Smithsonian annual report provides a good summary of the activities for the year and includes many examples of projects and programs that have inspired gifts. Read the Annual Report.

The Smithsonian receives a portion of its funding from the federal government. Private philanthropy bridges the gap between the Federal resources the Smithsonian receives and what it needs to carry out innovative research, expand its national collections, build new facilities, open truly 21st-century exhibitions, and expand educational outreach.

Many Smithsonian programs could not continue without the help of private support: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s work to better understand our rain forests; the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s work to preserve living culture; and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service’s efforts to reach communities nationwide. In addition, the cost of your Friends of the Smithsonian Membership, minus the value of your tangible benefits such as your magazine subscription, is a charitable donation to the Smithsonian, and is therefore tax-deductible.

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The Smithsonian currently uses sources such as revenue from retail operations, membership, unrestricted giving, and special events to fund advancement. The Smithsonian also directs a small percentage of term gifts to advance the fundraising capacity of its museums and programs and more effectively steward gifts. Read Resourcing the Strategic Plan.

The Smithsonian’s endowment is not yet large enough to support the Institution’s entire annual budget. We are working to increase our endowment in support of key research and curatorial positions. For information about giving to the endowment, please contact the Smithsonian’s advancement professionals by calling 202-633-4300 or emailing [email protected].

Yes! The Smithsonian's CFC number is 10782.

To make a gift of publicly traded securities to the Smithsonian, contact a Smithsonian advancement officer at 202-633-4300 or [email protected] and provide the name of your broker, the name of the stock, and the number of shares you would like to contribute. The advancement officer will advise you on the procedure for completing the gift.

For gifts of closely held stock or controlled stock, please consult with your financial advisor and contact the Office of Advancement for further information.

Certainly! Please indicate your wish to remain anonymous in written correspondence accompanying your gift. All donors of $2,000 or more are listed in the Smithsonian’s Annual Report. A confirmation of how you would like your name to appear is mailed to each donor in advance of the report’s publication.

Most Smithsonian museums and research programs have fundraising professionals who can answer your questions and who are available to work with you. Contact Smithsonian Advancement Staff at 202-633-4300 or [email protected] to get started..

The Smithsonian is a diverse organization with 19 museums, 9 research centers, and the National Zoo. As an organization we know that people have interests at the Smithsonian that are as varied as our organization. This gives our donors the greatest flexibility in choosing where they would like to direct their philanthropic support at the Smithsonian. We offer membership giving opportunities that are tailored to your individual interests, while at the same time providing the Smithsonian with the philanthropic support that fulfills and enhances our mission.

The Smithsonian's Websites will only collect personal information which you knowingly and voluntarily provide. When we send you information by email, you will always have an immediate opportunity to decline further communication. You can read the Smithsonian’s privacy policy in detail online.

On occasion, some Smithsonian programs may rent or exchange select member name and address information with other similar non-profit organizations. While you frequently will be provided an opportunity to opt-out, you may also request at any time that the Smithsonian not share information with such third parties.

On occasion, some Smithsonian programs may rent or exchange select member name and address information with other similar non-profit organizations. While you frequently will be provided an opportunity to opt-out, you may also request at any time that the Smithsonian not share information with such third parties.

If you do not wish your name and address to be exchanged, please notify Member Services at 800-931-3226 (toll free) or by email at [email protected]. You only need notify us once of your preference that we not exchange your information—this preference is kept on file indefinitely.

Many of the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are available as unique settings for special events. Organizations and individuals can rent Smithsonian spaces for their private event. Learn more about each venue, spaces that are available for rent, capacities of spaces, and contact information.

Corporate members and organizations may be invited by the Smithsonian to co-host events in celebration of their contribution.corporate memberships and corporate sponsorships

The Smithsonian Campaign (2011-2017) was the first comprehensive campaign mounted by the institution, encompassing the whole of its 19 museums, national zoo, nine research centers, and educational units. More than 535,000 donors made gifts totaling $1.88 billion, making it the most successful comprehensive campaign ever mounted by a cultural organization and surpassing its goal of $1.5 billion. Fundraising priorities emphasized new and renovated buildings and spaces, education and outreach initiatives, endowment support, scientific research around the globe, and programs and exhibitions.

The Smithsonian Campaign was co-chaired by Barbara M. Barrett, Sakurako D. Fisher, David M. Rubenstein, and Alan G. Spoon. The four co-chairs guided the work of the Steering Committee, worked with the visionary Honorary Committee, and reported progress to the Board of Regents. The campaign was initiated by former Secretary Wayne Clough and guided to its successful conclusion by Secretary David Skorton, who was appointed in 2014.

Friends of the Smithsonian Members are a national group of generous individuals whose donations help Smithsonian conservation and preservation efforts of our nation’s history and art, conduct groundbreaking scientific research, and provide educational outreach to students of all ages, all across the country. As a member of the Friends of the Smithsonian, you will receive benefits, including the Smithsonian magazine, that will help deepen your relationship with the Smithsonian. Beyond the benefits, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are directly supporting America’s greatest cultural treasure – the Smithsonian.

Increasing costs and shrinking budgets have forced the Smithsonian to cut back on important programs and curtail vital research. Your Friends of the Smithsonian membership will make possible many vital projects that the Smithsonian’s limited resources could not otherwise fund. Yet such projects – art restoration, traveling exhibitions, scientific expeditions, historical research and regional education programs – are essential to the Smithsonian’s work. Only through increased private support can the Smithsonian continue its cutting-edge research and develop the astonishing exhibitions for which it is known worldwide. When you upgrade to a Friends of the Smithsonian membership, you will enjoy additional benefits that make your involvement with the Smithsonian even more rewarding. Moreover, your increased contribution places you among a group of individuals who are deeply committed to furthering the important goals of your National Museum. Finally, your increased dues payment means that a higher portion of your contribution is tax-deductible.

The vast majority of Friends of the Smithsonian Members live throughout the country, outside of the Washington, DC region, and benefit greatly from their involvement with the Smithsonian. Smithsonian Affiliate museums can be found in 39 states, as well as in Panama and Puerto Rico, and Smithsonian Traveling Exhibitions criss-cross the country, taking the museum experience to Americans nationwide.

No matter where you call home, as a Friends of the Smithsonian Member you will enjoy a discount through the Smithsonian’s Gift Catalogue, at Smithsonian stores throughout the US, and online at www.SmithsonianStore.com. Friends of the Smithsonian Members receive Smithsonian magazine, the annual engagement calendar, and other fascinating publications. A portion of your Friends of the Smithsonian Membership is also tax-deductible.

You can customize your benefit choices to reflect your particular interests. And, if you don’t live in the Washington, DC area, but travel there occasionally, you might time your travel to coincide with an exciting membership event.

Gifts to the Smithsonian are tax-deductible under Section 170(c) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, in accordance with IRS regulations. The Smithsonian provides written acknowledgment of all charitable donations.

The amount of your Friends of the Smithsonian membership dues, minus the fair market value of your benefits in accordance with IRS regulations, such as your Smithsonian magazine subscription, is tax-deductible. You may customize your benefit choices to increase the tax-deductibility of your contribution, if you wish. See a listing of our tax-deductible benefits and information for 2021. Over and above to their dues, many Friends of the Smithsonian members make additional gifts which are 100% tax-deductible.

The Smithsonian has a number of different types of membership programs. The different types of programs allow the public to choose a membership that supports a specific area of interest or level of support.

As a member of the Friends of the Smithsonian, you provide important unrestricted funding. These funds are used by Smithsonian leadership to provide support across the Smithsonian for exhibitions, research, and educational outreach efforts. In addition to the increased benefits of membership, including specially chosen publications and event invitations, Friends of the Smithsonian members also receive an increased tax deduction.

The National Associate Membership is essentially a subscription to Smithsonian magazine. National Associate Membership also includes one-time 10% discount in Smithsonian shops, IMAX® theaters, and the Smithsonian Catalog.

Smithsonian Associate members help to bridge the gap between the program expenses and ticket revenues of Smithsonian Associate programming. Smithsonian Associate membership offers a subscription to the monthly listing of programs and events online and in the Washington, DC area, and special offers, including Smithsonian Associates member benefits and discounts on those programs and events you choose to attend.

Yes; National and Smithsonian Associates members may transfer to the Friends of the Smithsonian with enhanced benefits. Simply call 800-931-3226 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll contact the appropriate office to transfer your remaining dues to begin a Friends of the Smithsonian membership.

Yes. Such gifts made in honor or memory of someone special will be listed in the Friends of the Smithsonian Reception Center in Washington, D.C., and you will also a receive a special card to notify your honoree. Learn more by visiting the Memorial Giving page.

Please call 800-931-3226 or email us at [email protected] to change your address or other contact information for your membership record.

The contributions of every donor are valued and collectively support the Smithsonian’s unique and cherished place in our cultural heritage. To make their contributions more manageable, many of our members opt to pay automatically over a number of months on their credit cards.

Please call 800-931-3226 or email us at [email protected] to change your address or other contact information for your membership record.

You may be receiving multiple Smithsonian magazines because you have more than one subscription. You may have more than one Smithsonian membership where the Smithsonian magazine is a benefit. (For example: a Friends of the Smithsonian and Smithsonian Associates membership.) You may also be receiving the magazine from a source from outside of the Smithsonian.

If you are receiving multiple magazines by mistake, please look above your name on the label and see if the numbers are different or if they are the same. This information will help us identify where the multiple magazines are coming from.

To reduce the number of magazines you are receiving, please contact the Friends of the Smithsonian Customer Service Team at 800-931-3226 or email us at [email protected]. Please provide the following information from both the magazine labels: Your full name and address as it appears on each label, the number and expiration date.

Please understand that because the magazine address list is pulled ahead of mailing, you may receive one more set of duplicate magazines before the change takes place.