Ways to Give
The Smithsonian offers many ways for you to show your support. Find out which one is best for you!
The Smithsonian welcomes your gifts through Donor Advised Funds (DAF) or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA).
The Smithsonian is able to reach people everywhere thanks to generous support from people like you. Every gift provides critical support that powers every Smithsonian museum, research institution and cultural center. Thank you.
Please use the link below to select your Donor Advised Fund and begin the process of recommending a gift to the Smithsonian. Please make sure your name and membership number are located on the check or supporting documentation.
IRS rules limit the use of IRA qualified charitable distributions and DAF distributions for memberships providing benefits and event tickets. We encourage you to speak with your tax advisor regarding any questions you have about your DAF.
More than 17,000 companies nationwide participate in the Smithsonian's Employer Matching Gift Program, doubling or even tripling the impact of gifts made to the Smithsonian by their employees. Does yours?
Whether currently employed or retired, your employer may amplify your individual support while your employer can benefit through unrestricted tax-deductible contributions.
Use the search box below to find your employer’s relevant forms and set up your matching gift.
Please call 800-931-3226, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except federal holidays).
You will be asked to supply all information requested on the donation form.
Please print the donation form, fill it out and send it to the contribution processing center:
Friends of the Smithsonian
PO Box 37012, MRC 712
Washington, DC 20013-7012
Giving a gift in honor or memorial of someone is a wonderful way to pay tribute to their life.
Know someone who loves learning new things and celebrating knowledge as much as you do? Give them the membership that unlocks a world of knowledge and discovery.
Choose a Smithsonian museum, research center, or program to support your favorite part of the world’s most comprehensive museum and research institution.
Want to make a big gift to the Smithsonian Institution without touching your bank account? Consider giving a gift of real estate. When you give us appreciated property you have held longer than one year, you qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction. This eliminates capital gains tax, and you no longer have to deal with that property's maintenance costs, property taxes or insurance.
Gifts of appreciated publicly traded securities that you have held for longer than 12 months allow you to claim a charitable deduction for the full market value of the securities on the date the gift is made while avoiding tax on the capital gain.
Please contact Jeanne Welsh by phone 202-633-4034 or email SmithsonianGiving@si.edu for securities gift instructions.
Gifts of Digital Currency such as Bitcoin can be made through The Giving Block. Per the IRS, Digital Currency is considered property. The Smithsonian does not take a position on the value of donated Digital Currency. Please seek advice from your tax advisor for this information and to determine the charitable deductibility of Digital Currency donated to the Smithsonian.
Please contact Jeanne Welsh by phone at 202-633-4034 or email SmithsonianGiving@si.edu for Digital Currency donation instructions.
Looking for a way for you to support the Smithsonian Institution and feel confident that you have dependable income in your retirement years? A charitable gift annuity can provide you with regular payments and allow us to further our museums, education, and research. You can also qualify for a variety of tax benefits depending on how you fund your gift.