Support the Dennos Museum Center

The Dennos Museum Center is a nonprofit institution that relies on public and private support to maintain its programs and collections. There are a number of different ways that you can contribute to the Dennos Museum Center. Please follow the links below to learn more about how your gift can support the Museum.

Ways to Give

There are a variety of ways that you can make a contribution to the Dennos Museum Center.

Outright gifts

• Outright gifts provide an immediate gift to the Museum and offer the donor a charitable deduction. Outright gifts include, but are not limited to, cash, securities, artwork, real estate.
• Outright gifts can be designated towards memorial and tribute gifts.
• You can also become a Member of the Museum.

Planned Giving

Planned giving includes life income gifts, which are a great way to turn low yielding assets into a higher gain without the tax burden.

• Retained Life Estate allows the donor to donate a primary residence, vacation home or farm to the Dennos Museum Center/NMC Foundation while continuing to use the property. By transferring the deed to the Museum now, you receive an immediate charitable deduction for a portion of the property's value. The Museum/ Foundation receives the property at your death.
• A Will is a simple way to designate the Dennos Museum Center/NMC Foundation as a beneficiary of your estate.
• The Museum can be designated as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement assets.

Contacts: Persons wishing to support the Museum programs or make gifts of art to the Museum's collections should contact the Museum Director, Eugene A. Jenneman at ejennema@nmc.edu or call 231-995-1055.

Through the NMC Foundation Office donors may make planned gifts or set up named endowments in support of the museum. Contact NMC Foundation Director, Kathleen Guy at kguy@nmc.edu or call 231-995-1018.

• Online Donor form (opens in a new window)

Types Of Assets

Gifts to the Dennos Museum Center or NMC Foundation can be made with a variety of assets, including:

• Cash — Gifts of cash are the most common way to support the Dennos Museum Center and the NMC Foundation. By using a check or credit card, donors can make an immediate gift to the Dennos Museum Center. Please direct any gifts to: Dennos Museum Center, 1701 East Front Street, Traverse City, MI 49686.
• Securities — Gifts of appreciated securities are an excellent way to support the Dennos Museum Center and avoid capital gains taxes at the same time. Gifts of securities can be made by contacting the NMC Foundation Director, Kathleen Guy at kguy@nmc.edu or call 231-995-1018. Please provide the following information:
  1. Your name, address and telephone number
  2. Description of the names and numbers of stocks
  3. Your broker's name and telephone number
  4. Any purpose for which you want to direct your gift.
• Artworks and Collectibles — Artwork can be donated to the Museum.
• Real Estate — Gifts of real estate can be made to support the Museum. For more information, please contact the Museum Director, Eugene A. Jenneman at ejennema@nmc.edu or call 231-995-1055.
• Life Insurance — Life insurance is a perfect asset to give, saving it from the burden of estate tax. Gifts of life insurance give the donor two options. You may purchase a life insurance policy specifically designed to benefit the Museum. The Museum begins receiving annual earnings only after the policy generates a cash dividend. Upon the death of the insured, the Museum receives the full amount of the death benefit. However, you may hold a fully paid life insurance policy that you no longer need. By naming the Museum as owner, you can receive an estate tax deduction for the value of the policy or the policy owner's cost basis, whichever is less.
• Retirement Assets — Retirement Assets can be given to the Museum/Foundation. For more information, please contact the Museum Director, Eugene A. Jenneman at ejennema@nmc.edu or call 231-995-1055.

Endowment

Endowments provide for the constant support of the Dennos Museum Center. Endowments are established with a gift from a donor. This gift is invested and a percentage of the principal is used to support the program the donor designates. To learn more about how you can establish a gift that will last for generations, please contact the Museum Director, Eugene A. Jenneman at ejennema@nmc.edu or call 231-995-1055.

This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. Please consult your professional advisor for advice. Questions? Please contact NMC Foundation Director, Kathleen Guy at kguy@nmc.edu or call 231-995-1018.