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Support the Boston Athenæum
A Tradition of Giving

The Boston Athenæum has benefited through the years from members who care deeply about our fine institution. This tradition of support goes back to the Athenæum's original founders: members of the Anthology Society who formed the nucleus of our institution. Gifts of cash, securities, books, and art have been the building blocks of the Library since its founding in 1807.

We welcome both unrestricted and designated gifts. Below are our institutional categories for giving, or call the Development Office at 617-227-0270, or email us. All inquires are strictly confidential.

 The Annual Fund

Gifts to the Annual Fund underwrite 10 percent of the Athenæum's operating expenses and are essential support for the day-to-day operations of the Library. These contributions allow the Athenæum to host imaginative lectures and book talks, install lively exhibitions in the Norma Jean Calderwood Exhibition Gallery, provide the best possible support for visiting researchers, and reach out to the community by introducing school children to the Library and our collections. These unrestricted gifts are mostly made in the form of cash or securities and range in amount from $10 to $50,000. In either form, there are tax benefits to the donor. To donate now online, click the following button:

Honor and Memorial Gifts

Gifts may be made to the Boston Athenæum in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one. Gifts may be made through our secure online form via credit card or you may mail a gift to the address below. Please include your name and address, the name of the person whom you are honoring or memorializing, and the name and address of the person we should notify. Honor and Memorial Gifts will be listed in the Athenæum’s Annual Report. Please let us know if you would prefer your gift to remain anonymous.

Planned Giving

Through thoughtful financial and philanthropic planning, a growing number of people are finding that they can make larger gifts to the Athenæum than they ever thought possible, while minimizing taxes and often generating income. Planned gifts can be unrestricted or designated.

Designated Gifts

Your outright gift of cash or securities as well as your planned gift to the Library can be designated for a special purpose. Designated gifts increase our endowment, underwrite internships and fellowships, endow curatorial and librarian salaries, and constitute special acquisition funds.

The Armstrong Society

The Armstrong Society is named in honor of Rodney Armstrong, Director and Librarian of the Athenæum from 1973 to 1997. The society was founded to honor those donors who made cumulative gifts of $100,000 or more to the Twenty-First Century Fund Campaign. Today the society welcomes all donors who have made cumulative gifts of $100,000 or more to the Athenæum. We deeply appreciate the commitment of these friends. The variety and range of their gifts have benefited all aspects of the Library, ranging from underwriting cataloging, building the collections, renovating the building, and honoring staff members by endowing their positions, to supporting annual operating expenses. Armstrong Society members enjoy an annual event featuring dinner and a special program. We are pleased to note that the Armstrong Society welcomed two new members last year, for a total of 63 members.

Bromfield Society

The John Bromfield Society was established to honor those who make planned gifts to the Athenæum. This includes, but is not limited to, life income gifts, bequest intentions, and gifts of life insurance or retirement plans.  The gift of John Bromfield, whose initial bequest of $25,000 in 1846 has grown to more than $6.5 million, has enabled the Library to maintain its distinction as one of the country's leading research institutions. Income from the Bromfield Fund has made it possible for the Library to acquire many important books over the last 150 years.