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Ways to Give

While the Iowa State University budget supports the University Museums' administrative expenses, private dollars and government grants fund the museums’ education programs, exhibitions, conservation, scholarship, student internships, publications and special projects. The University Museums’ success depends on the generosity of our many devoted donors. A financial gift to the University Museums demonstrates your support of this unique cultural organization and maintains the museums’ reputation as a leader among university art museums and National Historic Landmark sites. Cumulative gifts over $15,000 are recognized in museum publications, providing a permanent legacy of generosity. If you wish, gifts can be made in honor or in memory of a special friend or relative.

Give Art

Over the years the University Museums’ permanent collection of some 30,000 works of art and cultural objects has been formed by generous donors who have contributed paintings, prints, sculpture and decorative arts. Major collections donated to the museum include the Brunnier Art Collection, the Lagerstrom Collection, the Helen and Rex Cook Art Glass Collection, the M. Burton Drexler Collection and W. Allen Perry Collection of Asian Art. If you are interested in contributing a work of art to the museum, please contact Lynette Pohlman, director and chief curator at 515.294.6966 or lpohlman@iastate.edu.

Give to the Acquisitions Fund

The aesthetic quality and historical importance of objects in the permanent collection are basic to the museums’ educational mission and role as an artistic leader. You may wish to designate your gift to the Art Purchase Fund to help add significant new works of art to the permanent collection. The University Museums relies on annual earnings from the Art Purchase Fund to acquire museum-quality works of art for the permanent collection. With art market prices steadily rising, the University Museums requires ever-greater endowment income in order to strategically expand permanent collection holdings. Please contact Lynette Pohlman, director and chief curator at 515.294.6966 or lpohlman@iastate.edu or Kelly Applegate, director of development at 515.531.0102 or kapplegate@foundation.iastate.edu.

Give to the General Fund (Fund for Excellence)

General Fund (a.k.a. Fund for Excellence) contributions in any amount may be made for operating support to maintain the current activities of the museum, including exhibitions, educational programs, conservation, collection management and special events. Please contact Lynette Pohlman, director and chief curator at 515.294.6966 or lpohlman@iastate.edu or Kelly Applegate, director of development at 515.531.0102 or kapplegate@foundation.iastate.edu.

You can also give online to the University Museums’ Fund for Excellence at the ISU Foundation website

Planned Giving

Create the legacy of culture, aesthetics, history, and art for decades to come, transforming the way generations of Iowa Staters experience and understand art and their environment—and thereby transforming the world. Designate University Museums as the recipient of a will, trust, or other deferred giving plan that may include annuities, pooled income funds, and charitable remainder trusts. University Museums and the Iowa State University Foundation will be happy to work with you to tailor your planned gift. The ISU Foundation can also help set up gifts that provide a stream of income throughout a donor’s life and a gift for their selected charities after their lifetime, often with significant tax reductions. Please contact Lynette Pohlman, director and chief curator at 515.294.6966 or lpohlman@iastate.edu or Kelly Applegate, director of development at 515.531.0102 or kapplegate@foundation.iastate.edu.

In-Kind Donations

University Museums rely on donations of in-kind goods and services to support its program and reduce costs. Contributions such as refreshments for events, technology, and storage space have been crucial to the success of recent programs. Corresponding opportunities for recognition are available. Please contact Lynette Pohlman, director and chief curator at 515.294.6966 or lpohlman@iastate.edu or Kelly Applegate, director of development at 515.531.0102 or kapplegate@foundation.iastate.edu.

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