Individual Giving

Individual Giving

When you support Western Reserve Historical Society, you support Northeast Ohio by keeping alive the rich history of this fascinating region, the stories of its people, places, industry, and culture.

WRHS provides cutting edge exhibits and programs that ignite people’s interest in history.

  • We offer myriad on-site and outreach education programs for young students and adult learners of all ages annually.
  • Our museums, collections, archives, exhibits and programs celebrate and honor our regional history.
  • We place relevance on pressing issues of state, national, and global significance through an understanding of our shared regional historical experience.

WRHS is a leader in the community and an advocate for economic development.

  • We are honored to be a part of a community whose arts and cultural organizations provide more than $1 billion of economic impact to Northeast Ohio each year.
  • We are proud of our recent achievements in paying off accumulated debt and right-sizing our organization in order to operate within our means without sacrificing service to our community.
  • Our newly-completed strategic plan will lead WRHS toward its 150th anniversary in 2017 with a clear vision: become THE destination for people to discover the American experience by exploring the tangible history of Northeast Ohio.

Donating to Western Reserve Historical Society
WRHS Gift Acceptance Policy

Talk With Us!

We hope our mission, facilities, exhibitions and educational programs engage you to such an extent that you are compelled to financially support us.  Should you ever want to discuss any type of financial support, we are just a phone call away.   Contact us at 216-721-5722 x1200.

Ways you can support Western Reserve Historical Society

 

WRHS is proud to be a 4-star Nonprofit on

Annual Fund

Your fully tax-deductible gift to the WRHS Annual Fund supports day-to-day operating expenses, a vital and most fundamental purpose. You may give to the WRHS Annual Fund in several convenient ways:

Online: Make a secure online donation with your credit card using this “Donate Now” button. (We accept VISA, MC, American Express, Discover.)

By Phone: Make a gift with a credit card over the phone by calling Cassie Moran at 216-721-5722 x1502 or email cmoran@wrhs.org.

By Mail:  You may mail a check to WRHS.  Please include your full name and contact information as you would like to be recognized in our reports.

Western Reserve Historical Society
Attention: Annual Fund
10825 East Boulevard
Cleveland, Ohio 44106

Consider a Gift “In Memory, Celebration or Honor of” to the Annual Fund
A gift in memory or in honor of a friend, colleague or loved one is a thoughtful and meaningful gesture.  You may make a tribute gift by phone or mail as described above, or on line  – “Make a Tribute Gift Now”.
We send a notification to you for your tax records and to the honoree (when applicable) letting them know a gift has been made in their name.

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WRHS Annual Fund Q &A (click here) 

Automated Monthly Giving Program

The Automated Giving Program is an easy way to support WRHS on a regular basis through automatic credit card payments. When you sign up, your Annual Fund gift to WRHS helps sustain our programming and is made once a month until you opt out. Participants help WRHS save on administrative costs, thus keeping funds focused where they are most needed: on our important programs and operations.  You may change or stop your monthly gifts at any time.

To enroll in our Automated Giving Program, download this easy-to-use form.

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Memorial & Honor Gifts

You may wish to make a gift in memory of an individual or in honor of a special person or event.  Please submit your donation online and be sure to complete the appropriate Memorial or Honor information section.  You may also call Glenn Anderson Jr., Senior Vice President of Advancement at 216-721-5722 x1401 or email gandersonjr@wrhs.org. to make your donation.  We will send notification to the family or honoree of your generous gift (gift amount will not be disclosed).  If you desire, your name and your gift recipient’s name will appear in our annual report (for gifts of $25 or more).

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Matching Gifts

Make your gift dollars go further.  Ask your company if they will match your contributions to Western Reserve Historical Society.
Please contact your Human Resources Office to learn more about your company’s matching gift policy and to determine if you are eligible for a matching gift.

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Gifts of Stock

If you are interested in gifting securities to Western Reserve Historical Society, the following instructions will assist you in doing so.
If you have any questions regarding these instructions, please contact Glenn Anderson Jr., Senior Vice President of Advancement at 216-721-5722 x1401 or email gandersonjr@wrhs.org.

Transferring the Stock Fee
Your broker should transfer the stock free through:

Michael F. Garibaldi
Director
KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc.
Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC
Phone: (216) 689-7106
Toll Free: (800) 233-2460
Fax: (216) 689-8282
mgaribaldi@key.com

It is imperative that your broker include your name with the stock transfer to ensure proper crediting of the gift.

Notification of the Stock Gift
Notification should be sent to:

Development Office
Western Reserve Historical Society
10825 East Boulevard
Cleveland OH 44106

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Planned Giving

Through planned gifts, you may achieve personal financial goals while making a substantial impact on the financial stability and strength of WRHS.  The benefits of a planned gift may include significant tax advantages and guaranteed life-long income for you and/or family members.  Your most enduring benefit is the legacy you will create.

Planned Gifts include bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, gifts that involve retirement assets, insurance policies and more. 

Your first step in considering a planned gift to WRHS is to consult your financial advisor or estate attorney to determine which planned giving option is best for you.   When you are ready to help ensure the financial vitality of WRHS through a planned gift, please complete and return this simple one-page Declaration of Intent.  A WRHS representative will then contact you to discuss your planned gift intentions.

Bequests
Many people choose to ensure a future charitable gift through their Will.  You may choose to designate to WRHS a specific asset or cash amount, a percentage of your estate, or any residual amount that is left once all other costs and bequests have been honored.  You may also add a bequest as a codicil to an existing estate plan. Your estate may receive significant estate tax savings.  Again, we advise you speak with your attorney or financial advisor prior to naming WRHS in your Will.

If the purpose of your bequest if unspecified, the gift will be placed in the WRHS endowment where only investment proceeds are spent to help ensure WRHS operations.  Bequests may be designated to support an existing fund or purpose of WRHS.  Bequests of at least $250,000 may be designated to establish a new fund or purpose.  In that case, we strongly advise you discuss your intentions with WRHS staff in advance.

Should you decide to name WRHS in your Will, the following is sample language
“I give, devise and bequeath to Western Reserve Historical Society. (Tax ID# 34-0714724) with offices located at 10825 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, the sum of ___________  to be used  ___________”

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Giving FAQ

Q. Can I designate my gift for a specific purpose?
A. Yes. You may designate your gift to a WRHS facility, specific program, or toward our general endowment.   Your undesignated gift will be used where needed most.

Q.  Are my gifts to Western Reserve Historical Society tax-deductible?
A.  Yes.  Western Reserve Historical Society is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)3 organization. Your gift is tax-deductible, to the full extent of the law.  If you have received goods or services in exchange for your gift (i.e. purchasing an auction item), the value of those goods or services is deducted from the total amount of your gift for the tax-deductible portion of your gift.

Q.  How should I make my check payable and where do I mail it?
A.  Please make your check payable to: Western Reserve Historical Society. It may be mailed to WRHS; 10825 East Boulevard; Cleveland, OH 44106.  You may also make a secure, online donation “Donate Now”

Q.  Can I designate my United Way gift to Western Reserve Historical Society?
A.  Yes. When you make your gift to United Way, simply list Western Reserve Historical Society as the organization you are designating all or part of your gift to. We will receive notification of your gift designation directly from United Way. United Way will retain a portion of your gift for administrative purposes.

Q.  Do you accept in-kind donations?
A.  Some in-kind donations are accepted. Please contact Glenn Anderson Jr., Senior Vice President of Advancement at 216-721-5722 x1401 or email gandersonjr@wrhs.org to discuss the item you wish to donate.

Q.  Who should I contact to discuss specific questions about making a gift to Western Reserve Historical Society?
A.  Please call Glenn Anderson Jr., Senior Vice President of Advancement at 216-721-5722 x1401 or email gandersonjr@wrhs.org.

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Donating Historical Artifacts

Are you interested in donating artifacts or items to WRHS collections or archives?
In order to maintain the integrity of the collection and to ensure the safety of the object until it has officially been accepted into the collections, Western Reserve Historical Society has provided (these FAQ’s) and procedures for handling possible donations and/or purchases.