Support the Boston Athenæum: A Tradition of Giving
Department of Institutional Advancement Staff
The Bromfield Society and Planned Giving
The Boston Athenæum has benefited through the years from members who care deeply about our fine institution. This tradition of support goes back to the Athenæum's original founders, who together pooled their financial resources to create this special place.
In the early days of the Library, operations were funded in most part by membership fees. These days we rely on several different sources to support our collections, programming, building, and infrastructure:
As you can see from the graph above, membership fees just cover about 22% of our costs. Please click on the graph to enlarge the image.
The majority of the gap is made up from donations, both past and present. We thank all of our members and friends who contribute to the Annual Fund, who have established their own named funds, who have added to our endowment, and who have helped us – in big ways and small – provide all of our services to our members.
Department of Institutional Advancement Staff
The Department of Institutional Advancement is located on the fourth floor of the Library, and we hope members consider our doors always open. The department is led by Janice C. Thompson (617-720-7607), and she encourages members of the Library and the public alike to contact her with any general questions or comments about fundraising (development), membership, and marketing.
Karen E. Beach (617-720-7641) is Assistant Director of Advancement, and can handle inquiries concerning membership and the Annual Fund. Karen is assisted by Marilyn Davidson (617-720-7629).
Monika I. Bach (617-720-7639) is Marketing Assistant; please call her with questions about marketing or our e-newsletter.
Caitlyn Landry (617-720-7640), Development Assistant, manages all of our fundraising and membership events, and also provides support for the entire department.
What's new?
1. Annual Fund progress to date
We have established an overall goal of $750,000 for the 2010 fiscal year (October 1, 2009 – September 30, 2010). In addition, we have established some goals for number of donors, number of $1K+ donors, and number of gift increases from the year before. As of the end of May 2010, here is our progress against those goals:
We hope all of our members will help us reach these targets, as they make up a significant portion of our operating budget for this fiscal year. If you have any questions about our goals or progress to date, please feel free to contact Karen E. Beach (email beach@bostonathenaeum.org, or call 617-720-7641).
2. Most recent Institutional Advancement report from our e-newsletter.
| YOU can make a difference! |
With only four weeks to go until the end of the fiscal year, we need your help to reach our $750,000 Annual Fund goal.
Since the Annual Fund supports all that we do, even small gifts have a big impact.
Did you know that:
- A gift of $10 pays for the block of Stilton cheese that was served after Sebastian Smee – art critic at The Boston Globe – gave a lecture to a sold-out audience in August?
- A gift of $25 pays for a portion of the electricity that kept our members cool as they wrote their dissertations, articles, and books on the fifth floor on a hot July afternoon?
- A gift of $100 underwrites the purchase of four of the latest novels that members peruse on our 14-day loan shelves?
- A gift of $250 supports part of the salary of that reference librarian who spent yesterday afternoon helping a member locate the train schedule between western Pennsylvania and Florida in 1962?
- A gift of $1,000 keeps the doors open to our gallery for two weeks, providing world-class art to members and the public alike?
Please consider contributing to the Annual Fund now, in the waning days of this fiscal year. We can’t reach our goal without you.
And thank you!
Thank you!
Janice C. Thompson
Director of Institutional Advancement
thompson@bostonathenaeum.org
3. Gift news
The Annual Fund
Gifts to the Annual Fund underwrite 16 percent of the Athenæum's operating expenses and are essential support for the day-to-day operations of the Library. These contributions allow the Athenæum to host imaginative lectures and book talks, install lively exhibitions in the Norma Jean Calderwood Exhibition Gallery, provide the best possible support for visiting researchers, and reach out to the community by introducing school children to the Library and our collections. These unrestricted gifts are mostly made in the form of cash or securities and range in amount from $10 to $50,000. In either form, there are tax benefits to the donor. To donate now online, click the following button:
For more information about the Annual Fund, please contact Karen E. Beach, Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement, by email or phone, 617-720-7641.
The Bicentennial Fund
The Bicentennial Fund program was created in 2007 to commemorate the Library’s 200th year. Spearheaded with pledges from the trustees totaling about $350,000, the Bicentennial Fund is a fundraising initiative to engage a whole new generation of major gifts donors and to build a cache of support for three of the Library’s most pressing needs: our exhibitions program, art acquisitions, and the upkeep of the building at 10 ½ Beacon Street.
Under the Bicentennial Fund program, with a pledge of $10,000 or more a donor can establish his or her own named bicentennial fund, and receive annual reports on the impact his or her philanthropy has made on the life of the Athenaeum. Donors choose one of the three Bicentennial Fund initiatives (exhibitions, art acquisitions, or the building). These funds are not endowed, though they usually last for more than a year, since the greatest strength of the program is the fact that it builds up a cushion of support that we might use when it is needed most.
For more information about the Bicentennial Fund, please contact Janice Thompson, Director of Institutional Advancement (617-720-7607).
The Armstrong Society is named in honor of Rodney Armstrong, Director and Librarian of the Athenæum from 1973 to 1997. The society was founded to honor those donors who made cumulative gifts of $100,000 or more to the Twenty-First Century Fund Campaign. Today the society welcomes all donors who have made cumulative gifts of $100,000 or more to the Athenæum. We deeply appreciate the commitment of these friends. The variety and range of their gifts have benefited all aspects of the Library, ranging from underwriting cataloging, building the collections, renovating the building, and honoring staff members by endowing their positions, to supporting annual operating expenses. Armstrong Society members enjoy an annual event featuring dinner and a special program. We are pleased to note that the Armstrong Society welcomed one new member last year, for a total of 46 living members.
For more information about the Armstrong Society, please contact Janice C. Thompson, Director of Institutional Advancement (617-720-7607)
Bromfield Society and Planned Giving
The John Bromfield Society was established to honor those who make planned gifts to the Athenæum. This includes, but is not limited to, life income gifts, bequest intentions, and gifts of life insurance or retirement plans. The gift of John Bromfield, whose initial bequest of $25,000 in 1846 has grown to more than $6.5 million, has enabled the Library to maintain its distinction as one of the country's leading research institutions. Income from the Bromfield Fund has made it possible for the Library to acquire many important books over the last 150 years.
Currently there are 144 living Bromfield Society members, and each year we honor their generosity through a special evening reception, when we showcase a number of our newest and most interesting acquisitions.
Some Bromfield Society members have chosen to establish Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA) at the Athenæum. Donors of CGAs transfer cash or securities to the Athenæum, and the Athenæum pays the donor, or up to two annuitants they name, fixed income for life. The principal passes to the Athenæum when the contract ends. The gift annuity offers donors the assurance of payments that will not fluctuate, and that are secured by all the assets of the Athenæum. Donors receive an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of the gift; ensuing annuity payments are treated as part ordinary income, part capital gains income, and part tax-free income. The minimum gift to establish a CGA at the Athenæum is $10,000 and the minimum age for immediate payment is 60 years old.
For more information about the Bromfield Society or planned giving, please contact Janice C. Thompson, Director of Institutional Advancement (617-720-7607).
Other Types of Giving
Honor and Memorial Gifts
Gifts may be made to the Boston Athenæum in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one. Gifts may be made through our secure online form via credit card or you may mail a gift to:
The Boston Athenæum
10 ½ Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
Please include your name and address, the name of the person whom you are honoring or memorializing, and the name and address of the person we should notify. Honor and Memorial Gifts will be listed in the Athenæum’s Annual Report. Please let us know if you would prefer your gift to remain anonymous.
Designated Gifts
Your outright gift of cash or securities as well as your planned gift to the Library can be designated for a special purpose. Designated gifts increase our endowment, underwrite internships and fellowships, endow curatorial and librarian salaries, and constitute special acquisition funds.
For more information about making designated gifts, please contact Janice C. Thompson, Director of Institutional Advancement (617-720-7607).
Printer-friendly version
RSS: 