Make a Gift

You can now donate any amount to the Annual Fund online!

The Annual Fund is the Oregon Historical Society’s yearly appeal to members and friends for contributions that help support the daily operations of the Society.

Your gift supports everything the Oregon Historical Society does, from educational and public programs to research and collections preservation.

• The Society’s exhibits provide access to, and interpretation and enjoyment of, its collections of priceless artifacts. We also bring quality national exhibits to the state.

• The research library houses an extensive collection of Oregon and Northwest-focused photographs and historical documents.  Well trained staff and volunteers are available to assist with research.

• The education program at the Society hosts award-winning workshops and seminars and produces online resources for the classroom and public.

• The Oregon Historical Quarterly, the journal of record for Oregon history for over 100 years, gives members and the public regular access to new and important documentation and interpretation of our history.

Membership dues provide less than 10% of our annual income.  Additional support is necessary to help cover our operating expenses.  It is especially important to contribute near the end of the year as we work toward another balanced budget!

“Yes!  The Oregon Historical Society is a private, non-profit organization.  Gifts to the Annual Fund are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by the law.  Certain benefits that come with membership, such as complimentary admission tickets or discounted rental fees, may reduce the tax-deductible amount—please consult your accountant.  For further questions, please contact the development office at 503-306-5237 or rachael.snow@ohs.org.”

Online:

Phone: Call our Annual Giving Manager at 503-306-5237

Mail: Send your gift to Oregon Historical Society Annual Fund, 1200 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR 97205

Charitable IRA Rollover 

The recently passed "2008 Economic Stabilization Act" (The $700B bailout) includes a provision that extended and makes retroactive Charitable IRA Rollover’s for 2008 & 2009.  The extension is retroactive to January 1, 2008 and applies to all charitable IRA rollovers made through December 31, 2009.

A charitable IRA Rollover allows you to donate funds directly from your IRA to the Oregon Historical Society.  By doing this, you avoid having to pay taxes on the funds transferred from your IRA; and the withdrawal still counts towards your Required Minimum Distribution.

Support the OHS Research Library

The Oregon Historical Society is proud to announce an opportunity for members and friends to support the Research Library during these difficult times.  A “Friends of the Library Fund” has been established, allowing patrons to make gifts directly in support of library programs and operations.  Your contribution, large or small, is much appreciated.

Mail your gift to:

The Oregon Historical Society

Friends of the Library Fund

1200 SW Park Avenue

Portland, OR 97205

Make a gift over the phone:

Call our Annual Giving Manager at 503.306.5237

“Preserving the past, inspiring the future”

In an effort to support Oregon cultural institutions, the Cultural Trust is offering a tax credit on all matching donations made to the Trust.  If you match your donation to OHS, with a donation of the same amount to the Trust before December 31st, you earn a tax credit in the amount of your gift on your 2009 tax returns.  Unlike a tax deduction which reduces your amount of taxable income, a tax credit actually reduces the amount of tax you owe.  Your gift to the Trust costs you nothing!  Also, as the Oregon Historical Society is a Cultural Partner of the Trust, your donation will come back to OHS as grant funding for our programs.  To learn more about the Oregon Cultural Trust and about this great opportunity to give for less, visit the Trust website.