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Smithsonian Institution Planned Giving

This website provides helpful information for making gifts that advance the Smithsonian's important mission while also providing significant financial benefits to you.

Many friends of the Smithsonian choose to follow in the footsteps of James Smithson, whose bequest to America founded the Smithsonian in 1846. Bequests continue to be one of the most popular planned giving options. Also, a growing number of donors now benefit from gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, which provide lifetime incomes and the opportunity to leave a significant legacy to America. These and other planned gifts help you combine philanthropy with effective financial and estate planning. Individuals who make planned gifts will be recognized in the Smithsonian Legacy Society.

Thank you for taking the time to explore the benefits of planning giving with the Smithsonian Institution. Your planned gift helps ensure that the Smithsonian will continue to achieve excellence while remaining free and open to all. Contact Us.

Steps to Wise Giving

There are several steps to help you make wise and prudent gifts.

These pages are here to help you learn how gift planning ideas can be of personal benefit. Let us suggest a few steps that would help you in that process.

Benefits for Your Family and the Smithsonian

There are several types of plans that will benefit you, your family, and the Smithsonian through increased income and generous tax savings. To meet our donors and learn their stories, just click on their pictures. (Note: These donor stories are for illustrative purposes. Each story is based on an actual gift case or a combination of cases. The pictures and names may be representative of the actual donors who were involved in either the cases or a combination of cases.)

Fixed Income for Retirement
After working for decades as a pediatrician in a small rural town, Patricia Brown was ready to retire. Patricia owned some stock but was concerned about leaving it in the market where it could go up or down. She needed a secure source of retirement income for the future. More on Fixed Income for Retirement >>.

Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
Peter and Gail Williamson were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities and built a sizable portfolio. More on Capital Gains Tax Bypassed >>.

Easy IRA Gift
Barbara retired after forty years as a teacher. She had volunteered for many years with the Smithsonian. More on Easy IRA Gift >>.

Peace of Mind Gift Annuity
Many years ago, Clara Lehman bought a home. Since she was so pleased with the home, she decided to buy stock in the company that builds and sells homes like it. Over the years, the stock has increased in value many times, but the value has been volatile. More on Peace of Mind Gift Annuity >>.

Joe Macedo Director of Planned Giving	Thanks very much for visiting us! We would be very pleased to help you. Simply click here to email us, or call us at 888-419-7584 at your convenience.	Alice Grindstaff Planned Giving Officer
Staff photo by Andrea Scharnau

Professional Advisors

We also have a complete tax update service for CPAs, attorneys, CLUs, CFPs, ChFCs, trust officers and other professional friends. The GiftLaw services are made available to all advisors as a free service. We also are always available to assist in helping you provide clients with clear and understandable gift illustrations. If you would like assistance with a gift illustration, please click here.

If you are a professional advisor, you may take the following steps on this site.