I'd suggest one of two courses of action:

1.  The donor gives only 25% of the collection for each year in which he
wishes the tax deduction (e.g., 25 buttons).  Downside:  the museum may
never receive the entire collection and more administrative work (separate
accessions). I think this was mentioned by someone else on museum-l.

2.  The donor gives the entire collection and spread the tax deduction over
several years.  I know this occurs regularly for especially large gifts
(such as real estate), but I'm not sure if this would apply to a collection
of 100 buttons (is the collection of such value that it even warrants an IRS
Form 8283 signed by the museum?).  Downside: more administrative work for
the donor, confirmation of process with a tax specialist.

Max A. van Balgooy
Director of Interpretation and Education
National Trust for Historic Preservation



-----Original Message-----
From: Kirstin Holm [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 6:22 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: fractional or partial donations

Hello all,
    I am looking for anyone who has experience with, or a policy for
dealing with, fractional donations of collection objects. For example, a
donor who wants to donate 25% of an interest in his collection of 100
buttons in one year, so as to spread the tax benefits over as many years as
possible. The whole idea makes me very nervous, and I'd love to find out
what other institutions may have done in those circumstances.

thanks in advance for any help you can give!

Kirstin Holm
Registrar
San Diego Historical Society

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