Support
The Annual Fund
Dayton History relies on a variety of sources to raise the funds required to preserve and interpret 37 buildings and millions of artifacts, and to provide educational programming year-round. One of these many sources is the Annual Fund, contributions made by our constituents, members, and friends.
These funds are used for a variety of purposes, such as:
- Collecting and preserving the artifacts and stories about the people, industries, and communities of the greater Dayton area
- Assisting with the conservations costs of maintaining the 1905 Wright Flyer III, the world’s first practical airplane
- Providing area students with quality, curriculum-enhanced educational experiences
- Assisting with the costs of operating and maintaining the Deed’s Carillon, Ohio’s largest carillon
- Providing exciting summer learning opportunities for children
- Assisting with the maintenance and manicuring of the beautiful and scenic grounds of Carillon Historical Park.
Donations of any size are valued. Just $5.00 enables a child to participate in one of our school field trips. Did you know that…
| $25 | Buys five pounds of wool for spinning demonstrations on a historic loom |
| $50 | Buys enough beeswax for three classes of schoolchildren to learn candle making |
| $100 | Buys 6 gallons of oil to keep the lights burning in Locust Grove Schoolhouse or historically accurate garden tools for the William Morris House garden |
| $250 | A full cord of firewood for educational programming at the William Morris House or a professionally made, historically accurate costume for our historical interpreters to wear to help bring history to life |
| $500 | Audio visual equipment maintenance for the Object Theatre in the Wright Brothers Aviation Center and other exhibits or cookware and stoneware pieces for the hearth cooking workshops |
Larger gifts are always welcome. They can provide a way to make future projects are reality.
Make an on-line gift to the Annual Fund
Planned Giving
The Deeds Circle recognizes and honors those who have included Dayton History in their estate plans with a future gift as well as those who have made an outright gift to Dayton History’s Endowment Fund. The name was selected to honor Carillon Historical Park’s founders, Col. and Mrs. Edward A. Deeds.
Gifts to the endowment fund are not spent. They are invested in perpetuity and only a portion of the investment income is used to fund Dayton History programs and operations each year.
Dayton History works with The Dayton Foundation in the Legacy Partnership Program. Staff from The Dayton Foundation will work with you and your financial advisors to maximize financial benefits, such as tax credits, for you.
Here are some examples of ways you can make a planned gift:
- Bequests: A family can bequeath in a will to Dayton History certain personal property or real estate, a specific sum of money or a percentage of estate assets. This can be for a designated purpose. Sample “will clauses” are available upon request.
- Retirement Funds: This may be the most significant asset for many families. Individuals may name Dayton History as a beneficiary for all or any portion of funds remaining at death.
- Life Insurance: A donor may transfer ownership of an existing life insurance policy and make Dayton History the owner and irrevocable beneficiary. Upon death, all proceeds will pass directly to Dayton History. A donor may include all or a percentage gift in a new or existing policy.
- Direct Gifts of Cash: A gift of cash or publicly traded securities can be given to the endowment fund. The donor will receive an income tax receipt for the donation and may save capital gains taxes.
Planned gifts can be made in your name or in the name of a friend or loved one.
If you have remembered Dayton History in your estate plans, please let us know. When we know that you have made a planned gift, we can recognize you as a member of Deeds Circle. It is not necessary to disclose the type or amount of your planned gift.
As a member of Deeds Circle, you will be invited to an annual appreciation reception, as well as events and programs throughout the year, giving you an opportunity to meet other individuals with a common interest in the future of the museum.
For more information about making a planned gift, please contact Beth Redden at The Dayton Foundation at (937) 225-9947 or bredden@daytonfoundation.org. All inquiries are no-obligation and will be kept strictly confidential.