Cash, securities, real estate, and personal property, such as objects from your collection which will enhance the Museum’s holdings and be appreciated by the institution’s visitors for years to come, may all be given to the Museum through your will.
An example of a provision for an unrestricted gift, which may be used by the Museum wherever it is most needed, follows:
“I give and bequeath to the Museum of Arts & Design ___% of my estate (or $____).*
An example of a provision for a restricted gift—which may only be used by the Museum for the purpose you designate, and may include principal, income, or both, follows:
“I give and bequeath to the Museum of Arts & Design ___% of my estate (or $____)* to be used for the following: (your purpose here).”
*You may also specify any real property to be sold by the Museum.
Restrictions on gifts may occasionally outlive their purpose, or the restrictions necessary to ensure the continued usefulness of the gift may make the gift impracticable for the donor or for the Museum. Therefore, if your intent is to make a restricted gift to the Museum, we ask that you discuss your gift in advance with the Museum’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement or with a member of the Museum’s Professional Advisory Committee.
If you are considering donating art works, you will also want to speak with the Chief Curator to ensure that your object is appropriate for the collection. Of course, we encourage you to seek legal counsel before designing any type of will provision.