Ways to Give

Gifts of Securities

Gifts of appreciated securities, stocks, and bonds can be made through our representatives at Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP. Please notify our Trust Advisor, listed below, of the type and number of stock or securities that you wish to give, as well as how the funds should be directed.

Donor Advised Funds

We accept grants made through donor-advised funds from a number of public charities. For help recommending a grant of this nature, contact the development office at (617) 720-7680 or development@bostonathenaeum.org.

Gifts of Personal Property

Gifts of personal property, including works of art, rare books, and other items of demonstrable value may be accepted. Please contact the Special Collections Department for questions of this nature. 

Endowment Gifts

Endowment gifts are especially appreciated as the interest generated from endowed funds continues to provide income for the program(s) toward which they are directed in perpetuity. Contact the Development Office for help coordinating these gifts.

Planned Gifts

Planned gifts, such as bequests, charitable gift annuities, and charitable trusts, are excellent ways to ensure your generosity has an impact for years to come. To learn more about how to include the Athenaeum in your financial and estate plans, visit our Planned Giving page or contact the Development Office.

Increasing the Impact of Your Gift

Lasting Commitments

If you would like to make a lasting commitment to the Athenaeum, you can set your gift to recur on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis. Reliable, recurring donations like these ensure the standard of excellence much-appreciated by the Athenaeum community. You can make your monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual gift on our online giving form, or by contacting the Development Office.

Memorial and Tribute Gifts

Memorial and tribute gifts are a powerful way to honor or remember someone special in your life. If you would like to make a memorial or tribute gift, simply attach a note with their name or follow the instructions on our online giving form. When a tribute or memorial gift is made, a letter is sent to the honoree or their family. Unless otherwise directed, we will also include the names of both donor and honoree in our Annual Report.

To direct family and friends to make gifts in memory of a loved one who has recently passed, we suggest including the following language in an obituary or other tribute:

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Boston Athenæum's Annual Fund in memory of {name}.  Checks may be mailed to the Boston Athenæum, 10½ Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108. Online gifts are accepted at www.bostonathenaeum.org/give

Matching Gifts

You may be able to multiply the impact of your donation with a matching gift. Many companies offer their employees the opportunity to have their charitable contributions matched, dollar for dollar. Search below to see if your employer participates. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, inquire with the human resources department at your workplace.

View Your Giving History

If you would like to access the history of your donations to the Athenaeum, log in or create a new profile here.  Please note that if you need to create a new profile, it could take up to one business day for your account to comprehensively reflect your generosity. If you prefer, you can contact the development office for more immediate information.