planned giving

The mission of the Denver Art Museum is to enrich the lives of present and future generations through acquisition, presentation, and preservation of works of art. Supporting us in that endeavor is a group of incredibly dedicated friends and patrons. For more information about the planned giving options listed below, contact the development office at 720-913-0030.

The Helen Dill Society

In 1928, the bequest of a schoolteacher named Helen Dill enabled the museum to establish a fund for the acquisition of art. The Helen Dill Society honors those who continue her commitment with a bequest or other estate plan arrangement. Members enjoy an annual recognition event, private exhibition tours, free estate planning workshops, and recognition in our annual report.

Bequests

The simplest way to make a planned gift is through a bequest in your will. You may direct a bequest to support a specific acquisition fund for art or to endow a specific program or collection. Undesignated bequests allow the museum to use the funds where they are most needed.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Contribute to the future of the museum, secure lifetime annual payments for yourself and/or other beneficiaries, and generate substantial tax benefits with a charitable remainder trust. A trust of this kind provides beneficiaries with income for life or a specified length of time and then distributes the remaining assets to the museum. An income tax deduction is available immediately.

Charitable Gift Annuities

Charitable gift annuities provide beneficiaries with a fixed income for life in exchange for a gift of cash or marketable securities to the museum. The rates of return are generally higher than those from savings or money market accounts, and you can choose whether to receive income immediately or wait until retirement.

Charitable Lead Trusts

With a charitable lead trust, you make a significant multiyear gift to the museum and maximize the value of assets for your heirs. This type of trust pays an annual amount to the museum, with the assets ultimately passing on to another beneficiary. You can decide whether to receive an income tax deduction or pass savings on to your estate.

Retirement Plan Assets

Bequeathing retirement assets to the museum allows you to fulfill your charitable objectives while preserving more of your estate's value for family members. Designating the museum as the beneficiary of your retirement account may help your estate bypass multi-tier tax exposures, preserve the value of your estate, and protect your heirs from potential tax burdens.

Life Insurance

Giving a life insurance policy is a great way to transform a modest gift into a dramatic one. You can transfer ownership of a fully paid policy to the museum, reassign ownership and beneficiary status for a policy on which premiums are still being paid, or establish a new policy and designate the museum as applicant, owner, and beneficiary.

Gifts of Art

The Denver Art Museum has an excellent program for acquiring works of art to enhance its collections. Because gifts of art require careful preparation, please contact us at 720-913-0030 to ensure that the museum can accept your gift. We will guide you through the process and provide answers to your appraisal and tax questions.