There is a short and long answer to this and it depends on the type of benefits you give away with your membership(s). For example, frequently used benefits like free access to the museum, or members-only events (so long as the cost-per person does not reach a certain threshold) are insubstantial and need not be counted. So is your annual report/year in review.   As well, you are only required to notify donors if their membership exceeds $75.

 

But more to your point, if your museum is offering benefits that are substantial and need  to be counted for tax reasons, you need to disclose that on soliciting material.

 

 

I would suggest checking out http://americanmuseummembership.org/uploads_ed/files/museum%20membership%20and%20Tax%20Rules.pdf for some good examples.

 

 

Very Kind Regards,

 

Shane Stuart

Annual Giving Manager

Historic Huguenot Street

 

 

 

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Deana Mallory
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2018 1:39 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Taxes and Membership

 

Hello,

 

Are we required to list the tax-deductible amount of membership fees on our brochures/renewal materials at the time of solicitation? We're redesigning our materials, and I was under the impression that we are supposed to include that. However, I am looking at an example from an institution with many more resources (probably even actual membership staff!) and they have not included it.

 

Does your institution include that info on the brochure? On the receipt/acknowledgement?

 

Thanks!

 

Deana R. Mallory

Director of Public Programs
Bennington Museum
75 Main Street
Bennington, VT 05201
802-447-1571 ext. 203
www.benningtonmuseum.org

 

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