Membership & Giving : Membership : Fundraising Language

THE LANGUAGE OF FUND RAISING

Annual Giving: Gifts from the annual fund and membership dues used for current-year operating expenses.  These gifts cover the actual cost of running the Museum.  All unsolicited gifts made to the Museum without a specific purpose specified fall into this category.

Capital Giving: Major gifts to meet building and endowment needs the Museum cannot pay for out of general funds.

Sponsorships: Gifts to a specific event/exhibit that give you presenting rights of the event/exhibit.

Matching Gifts: More than 550 American corporations match their staff's philanthropic contributions.  When you make a gift to the Museum, check with your company's HR department to find out if they will match your gift.  If so, send in the appropriate paperwork with your donation to double your gift to the Museum.

Endowment Giving: Major gifts to a fund that takes the pressure off the operating budget.

Gifts in Kind: Donations of needed goods and services rather than money - helps us save money and you still get a tax donation credit.

Planned Giving: A gift vehicle that allows you to donate via trust, annuity, insurance policy, or a bequest to the Museum.

Restricted Gift: Gifts that can be spent only for a specific purpose you designate.

Unrestricted Gift: Gifts that are spent where the Museum believes the greatest need is...most Annual Gifts fall into this category.