The DC History Center’s work is made possible by the generosity of donors. Gifts of any size make a meaningful difference in our ability to tell stories, connect Washingtonians, and inspire history-informed action. Thank you for considering a gift in support of our mission.
There are many ways to support the DC History Center today and help sustain our work for the future:
Make a Donation
Please Note: Our legal name is the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. dba DC History Center. Our address is 801 K ST NW, Washington, DC 20001, and our EIN is 53-0238800.
Increasingly popular, a donor-advised fund is an investment account that exists for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations. When you contribute cash, securities, or other assets to a donor-advised fund at a public charity, such as a community foundation, you can generally take an immediate tax deduction. Those funds can then be invested for tax-free growth, and you can recommend grants to virtually any IRS-qualified public charity, including the DC History Center.
Many investment portfolios include stock with large built-in gains, the sale of which would lead to a higher tax bill. If you own appreciated stock and want to support the DC History Center, you may want to consider gifts of stock rather than cash.
When you give stock—or bonds and mutual funds—to the DC History Center, you benefit from the full tax deduction and are not required to pay capital gains tax. Thanks to our partnership with Brown Advisory, we are now able to offer this attractive option to donors.
You can leave a significant legacy by donating “what’s left” in your retirement account or pension plan to the DC History Center. This means that you provide for your retirement first, and then name the DC History Center as a beneficiary. You can similarly designate the DC History Center as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy.
Our final wishes often express the love and care we have shown family and friends, as well as the causes we have most ardently supported, even if quietly or modestly. When you designate the DC History Center as a beneficiary through your will or trust—for a fixed amount or percentage of your estate—this continued commitment will make a difference for future generations.
For more information; to make a gift from a donor-advised fund, retirement plan, life insurance policy, investment portfolio, will, or trust; or if you have already included us in your estate plans, please contact Laura Hagood at lhagood@dchistory.org or 202-780-5613. Please also consult with your tax or financial advisor.
Support from our community allows us to tell local stories in new and exciting ways, connecting with people across the city from our homebase at the Carnegie Library.