Thank you for considering a gift to the annual fund. AAS collects and preserves the printed and handwritten materials from America’s past to ensure that the richly woven tapestry of American stories will continue to inform and inspire for generations to come. We have been able to do this for more than two hundred years because generous friends provide vital funds for our operations. This support means that we can grow and care for the collections and keep AAS a dynamic hub for research and learning. We hope we can count you among our supporters.
Benefits of giving
When you make your gift, you will become part of a growing community of generous friends. Contributions at any level make a difference.
Core Benefits for All Donors*
- Recognition in the Annual Report
- Subscription to the Almanac, the AAS Newsletter
- Invitations to public programs
George Bancroft Circle, gifts of $250-$999
- All the above benefits
- Special recognition in the Annual Report
- New! A keepsake bookmark
Isaiah Thomas Circle, $1,000-$2,499
- All the above benefits
- New! A limited-edition AAS tote
President’s Circle, $2,500+
- All the above benefits
- The opportunity to host an event at the Goddard-Daniels House
NEW! Curators’ Circle, $5,000 or more
- All the above benefits
- Invitations to exclusive pre- and post-program events
NEW! Sustainer Circle (monthly donors)
Please consider joining our new Sustainer Circle with a monthly contribution. Your gift will be charged automatically each month, allowing us to dedicate more of your valuable support to the library and less to administrative expenses.
- All benefits equivalent to twelve months of giving
- Special recognition in the Annual Report
Other ways to give
Gifts of stock and other assets
The IRA charitable rollover allows taxpayers aged 70½ or older to make tax-free charitable gifts of up to $100,000 per year directly from their individual retirement accounts to eligible nonprofits such as AAS.
To make a gift of stock or other securities, please contact the Society’s Advancement office at 508-471-2142 or email Danielle Pickett, Assistant Director of Advancement, at dpickett [at] mwa.org (dpickett[at]mwa[dot]org). It is essential that AAS receive notice ahead of time about stock gifts, including name of donor, stock name, and number of shares, since electronic transfers do not include donor information.
Planned gifts and bequests: The Esther Forbes Society
Legacy gifts have been critical to the growth of AAS throughout its history. For example, writer Esther Forbes left the literary rights to all her works to AAS; as her novel Johnny Tremain has never gone out of print, AAS continues to benefit from her forward-thinking generosity. The Esther Forbes Society includes all those who have provided for AAS through their estates or otherwise via planned gifts. For bequest language or to inform the Society of your planned gift, please contact Lynn Swain, Vice President of Advancement, at dpickett [at] mwa.org (lswain[at]mwa[dot]org) or at 508-471-2162. Members of the Esther Forbes Society are recognized in the Annual Report and are invited to occasional special events.
Learn more
Gifts to the collection
The Society’s collections have grown in large part thanks to more than two centuries of generous donations. Curators are always interested in considering gifts to the collections. The Society’s collecting policies can be found here. To discuss giving an object or a collection to AAS, please contact Lauren B. Hewes, Vice President for Collections, at lhewes [at] mwa.org (lhewes[at]mwa[dot]org).
The American Antiquarian Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. All gifts are tax deductible. For questions or to make restricted gifts, please call the Advancement office at 508-471-2142 or contact Danielle Pickett, Assistant Director of Advancement at dpickett [at] mwa.org (dpickett[at]mwa[dot]org).