How to give: To discuss your planned gift, please email us at development@exploratorium.edu or call 415.528.4866.

Cash gifts by check or credit card are the simplest and most common way to support the Exploratorium and allow you to help now. If you itemize your income tax deductions, your gift is deductible up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income (or as currently allowed by law). If you are unable to deduct the full gift amount in one year, you may carry the unused deduction forward on your tax returns for up to five additional years.

Appreciated assets, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate, can be an excellent way to provide support. By contributing appreciated assets you receive a double benefit: you avoid tax on the appreciation and you receive a charitable income tax deduction on the value of the assets. Because of this potential double tax savings, a gift of appreciated securities usually has a lower after-tax cost than an equivalent gift of cash. If you itemize your income tax deductions, your gift is deductible up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income (or as currently allowed by law). If you are unable to deduct the full gift amount in one year, you may carry the unused deduction forward on your tax returns for up to five additional years.

Securities, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, are easily contributed. Generally, if your securities have decreased in value, they should be sold first and the cash proceeds donated.

• The Exploratorium welcomes gifts of securities. A gift of appreciated stock contributed directly to the Exploratorium is deductible at the full market value of the stock given, and donors are not liable for any federal capital gains tax.
• To donate appreciated securities, please email the Development Office at donatesecurities@exploratorium.edu or development@exploratorium.edu or call 415.528.4866.
• Please note that our securities information has changed as of March 2020.

Direct gifts from your IRA are a way for individuals age 70½ and older to make donations to the Exploratorium of up to $100,000 per year (and up to $200,000 per year for married couples) directly from their individual retirement accounts through the Charitable IRA Rollover. This allows you to make a meaningful gift without having to count the transfers as income for federal tax purposes, and is a great way to utilize your required minimum distributions.

Closely held stock provides you with another way to support the museum. This kind of stock is privately owned and not publicly traded. If you are considering a gift of closely held stock, it is important that you not enter into a prior written agreement with either the corporation or a potential purchaser before you make your gift.

Real estate can create an important gift. Because of the special nature of real estate, the Exploratorium will carefully evaluate each property prior to acceptance.

Personal property, such as collections, books, or art, may be given to the museum. Special rules apply for these donations, so it is important to discuss this type of gift with the Development Office prior to contributing it outright or designating it as a gift from your estate.

How to give: To discuss planned giving options, please email us at development@exploratorium.edu or call 415.528.4866.

There are many ways that you can help the Exploratorium and accomplish your philanthropic and financial goals while providing for your loved ones. You can consider any of the following:

• Make a bequest. Instruct your attorney to include a charitable bequest for the Exploratorium in your will or living trust. This is one of the simplest ways for you to provide for the museum in your estate plans. Your gift can be made for a percentage of your estate, a specific dollar amount, or specific property. A percentage bequest is frequently chosen by donors because it allows their future gift to remain proportional to their estate.
• Donate retirement funds. Due to potential taxation concerns that can significantly diminish the value of your retirement account, you may find it beneficial to name the Exploratorium as the beneficiary recipient of your 401(K), 403(b), Keogh, IRA, or other qualified pension plan.

• Direct gifts from your IRA are a way for individuals age 70½ and older to make donations to the Exploratorium of up to $100,000 per year (and up to $200,000 per year for married couples) directly from their individual retirement accounts through the Charitable IRA Rollover. This allows you to make a meaningful gift without having to count the transfers as income for federal tax purposes, and is a great way to utilize your required minimum distributions.  

• Contribute life insurance policy proceeds. Perhaps you find that a life insurance policy once necessary for your family's security is no longer needed. Another simple way to make a gift to the museum is to name the Exploratorium as the future beneficiary of the policy.
• Create a charitable remainder trust. Name the Exploratorium as the recipient of an irrevocable trust that can provide income for you or a named beneficiary for a period of years (often for the lifetime of the individual). At the end of the term of the trust, the remaining trust assets are distributed to the Exploratorium. Cash, stock, or real estate can be used to fund the trust. Trusts are highly flexible gift-planning tools that have enabled donors to accomplish a variety of important personal financial goals and ultimately provide an important gift to charity.
• Donate property. Bequeath your home or other property to the Exploratorium. You may also donate it while retaining the right to live there for the remainder of your life and receive an immediate income tax deduction.

These are just some examples of how you can include the Exploratorium in your gift-planning efforts. Gifts of this nature should be carefully considered in relation to your financial and estate plans and goals. We therefore recommend that you consult an attorney, financial advisor, or estate-planning expert in the preparation of your plans and to supervise their execution so as to comply with the requirements of the state in which you reside.