Ways to Give
The Walters Art Museum is primarily funded through the financial support of our Partners who choose to donate. Your generosity makes a lasting impact on every visitor, from first-time museumgoers to lifelong art lovers. We invite you to explore the many ways you can make a gift to support our mission.
Giving at the Walters
Explore all the ways you can make a difference at the Walters and help us accomplish our mission of bringing art and people together for enjoyment, discovery, and learning.
Make a Gift Online
The easiest way to give to the Walters and become a Partner is to make a gift online. You can decide whether to give once or monthly through our easy online form.
Make a Gift by Check
If you prefer, you can mail a check made out to “The Walters Art Museum” to…
Development Department
The Walters Art Museum
600 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Make a Gift by Phone
To pay via credit card over the phone, call our Giving Hotline at 410-246-8283 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Become a Business Partner
Businesses of every size can make a lasting community impact while enhancing their company values. We will work with you to find the level of engagement that allows your business to invest in art and the civic life of Baltimore while meeting your business goals. Let’s build something meaningful together.
Donor-Advised Funds Donations
The Walters welcomes gifts made through Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) for fully tax-deductible purposes. Have you recommended the Walters for a DAF gift? Thank you! Please notify us so we may send our thanks and ensure your gift is appropriately credited.
IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions
If you are 70 ½ years of age or older, you can currently transfer up to $111,000 from your IRA to a qualified charity, including the Walters, without incurring income tax.
Wire Transfers and Stock
Instead of a cash donation, support through a gift of appreciated securities allows you to make a tax-deductible gift at full market value, while avoiding the capital gains taxes that might be associated with a sale.
The Walters Art Museum respectfully requests all donors of stock or their financial advisors please contact Erin Mellott, Senior Manager of Donor Relations and Development Operations, at [email protected] or 410-547-9000, ext. 203, to advise of any incoming gift of securities. Please provide the name of the stock and ticker symbol, the number of shares being transferred to the Walters, and the purpose for which the stock gift is intended. There are immediate sale instructions for all gifts of securities to the Walters.
Family and Private Foundations
The Walters is incredibly grateful for gifts and grants from family and private foundations. We know each foundation is unique, so please reach out to Eliza Mullen, Senior Manager of Grants and Foundations, at [email protected] or 410-547-9000, ext. 530, to discuss the best way for your foundation to support the Walters.
Planned Giving
The Walters Legacy Society recognizes and honors those who have made a commitment to support the Walters Art Museum through their will or other planned gift. Gifts and bequests to the museum help sustain the future of the Walters. A planned gift carries on the legacy of supporters like you who believe in the mission of bringing art and people together for enjoyment, discovery, and learning. If you haven’t already done so, please let us know of your intentions so that we may thank you for your generosity.
Gifts of Art
Gifts of art or funds to purchase additional artwork continue the mission and storytelling purpose of the Walters. We welcome conversations around gifts of high-quality artwork and artifacts that will complement and enhance the collection today and into the future.
We have a multistep review and approval process when considering whether the Walters is the right home for any offered gift of art. All gifts of art must have documentable provenance and be formally accepted by the Walters Art Museum Collections Committee and the Trustees of the Walters Art Museum.
If you are interested in making a gift of art or funds to support the art collections, please contact Katarina Ziegler, Director of Development, at [email protected] or 410-547-9000, ext. 614.
Volunteer
Giving your time to the Walters is just as valuable as a financial contribution. The Walters Art Museum relies on the dedication and commitment of volunteers who support the mission of the museum. As a Walters volunteer, you can contribute your time and skills to create a place where people of every background can be touched by art. We are looking for dynamic and engaging individuals to partner with the Walters and join our team of passionate volunteers.
“I choose to support the Walters because I believe art and cultural institutions are an important part of civic life.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about giving to the Walters? Read below for answers to some of our frequently asked questions. If your question isn’t answered here, please contact us at [email protected] or 410-246-8283.
Why should I consider an IRA Qualified Gift?
- Your gift will be put to use today, allowing you to see the impact of your donation.
- If you are required to take minimum distributions, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your obligation.
- You pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions.
- Since the gift doesn’t count as income, it can reduce your annual income level. This may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.
- You can give any amount under this provision, as long as it remains under the annual threshold.
Can I use my DAF or IRA to pay for Partnership?
We welcome DAF or IRA payments to pay for Partnership. DAF and IRA payments may also be used to pay for Partnership at levels of $1,000 and above, which offer “tangible economic benefits,” only if you choose to waive those benefits. Otherwise, DAF and IRA payments may not be used in full or in part for memberships at these levels.
Can I use my DAF or IRA to pay to attend the Walters Gala & Party?
No, DAF and IRA payments may not be used in full or in part to purchase tickets or sponsorships that include tickets to the Gala, as admission to this event and the Party can be considered “tangible economic benefits.” However, we welcome fully charitable donations from DAFs and IRA distributions that support the Gala’s fundraising efforts. Each year, the Walters Gala & Party raises critical funds for the Walters’ mission to connect people with art for free.
Please note that, according to IRS rules and guidelines, contributions that provide “tangible economic benefits” to a donor in exchange for their gift may not be paid for in full or in part by a DAF, unless the donor waives those benefits. This includes but may not be limited to tickets to events such as our annual Gala. Consult with your tax advisor or DAF representative for further guidance.