AN ENDOWED GIFT IS BOTH A GIFT FOR THE FUTURE AND A GIFT FOR TODAY.

You receive tax benefits for an endowed gift, and also have the satisfaction of knowing your gift will provide income in perpetuity for a project of particular interest to you.

By establishing an endowed fund or adding to an existing one, you ensure that the principal of your gift is maintained in perpetuity. At the same time, a portion of the income generated by the principal of your gift is distributed annually to support our programs. Depending on your intentions and the nature of the gift, a separate fund may be established or an existing one increased.

Unrestricted income from the endowment is used to support critical institutional operations, including funds for exhibitions, educational outreach, scholarly studies, and collections acquisition. You may designate a special purpose endowment fund upon consultation with Smithsonian staff.