Ways to Give

Thank you for supporting the State Historical Society of Missouri! Your commitment to protecting and sharing Missouri history makes our mission of preservation and education possible.

Supporters like you provide crucial funding to SHSMO. Your donation has a direct impact on our daily operations. Because of you, SHSMO can digitize Missouri newspapers and photographs; host free events and exhibitions; preserve and house important works of art; publish the Missouri Historical Review; sponsor the National History Day in Missouri youth program; and so much more!

How You Can Help Today

The easiest way for you to support SHSMO is with a cash gift. Cash, check, credit card, or money order donations allow us to meet our most urgent needs.

You can easily make a gift online via credit card, either one-time or recurring.

Make a gift online now

You can mail check and money order gifts to:

The State Historical Society of Missouri
Attn: Advancement
605 Elm Street
Columbia, MO 65201

If you itemize your taxes, you can receive a federal income tax deduction from your gift.

Did you know that individual retirement arrangement (IRA) owners age 70½ or over can transfer up to $100,000 to charity organizations tax-free each year? 

These transfers, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), are a great way to support SHSMO. For those of you who are at least 73 years old, QCDs count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year. Talk with your financial advisor about supporting SHSMO through your IRA this year! Please notify SHSMO that you have initiated your gift, so we can provide you with a tax receipt. You can connect with us at GivingToSHSMO@shsmo.org or calling (573) 882-7083.

Donating long-term appreciated securities like stock, bonds, or mutual funds may automatically increase your gift and your tax deduction. Consult with your tax and financial advisors. If you are making a transfer, please reach out to SHSMO at GivingToSHSMO@shsmo.org or calling 573.882.7083, so we can confirm receipt of your gift.

Leave Your Legacy

Have you made plans for an estate gift to SHSMO? One way to leave a lasting legacy and help SHSMO collect, preserve, and share our history is through your estate gift. These gifts are crucial for our ongoing success and long-term future, securing SHSMO's ability to carry out its work for a second century. 

Will
Thank you for supporting SHSMO through your estate gift!  Please let us know about your plans by sharing an estate gift intention form with us. You can alter your bequest or trust designation at any time. A bequest or trust designation to SHSMO is not subject to federal estate tax. 
Trust
Thank you for supporting SHSMO through your estate gift!  Please let us know about your plans by sharing an estate gift intention form with us. You can alter your bequest or trust designation at any time. A bequest or trust designation to SHSMO is not subject to federal estate tax. 

Next Steps: 

  1. Contact us at (573) 882-7083 or GivingToSHSMO@shsmo.org for additional information about different options for including SHSMO in your will or estate plan. 
  2. If you include SHSMO in your plans, please use our legal name, The State Historical Society of Missouri. Planned gifts through SHSMO are revocable and can be changed at any time. 
  3. Please keep us posted on any updates. 

Legal Name: The State Historical Society of Missouri Address: 605 Elm Street, Columbia, MO 65201 

Please consult your legal advisors when preparing legal documents.

Did you know that you can give life insurance benefits to support SHSMO?

Policy Beneficiary
A beneficiary designation is the simplest way to provide SHSMO with the death benefit proceeds from your life insurance policy. Naming SHSMO as a beneficiary also ensures the privacy of the donation. Contact the holder of your life insurance policy for instructions on how to modify your policy beneficiary. 
Policy Donation
A life insurance policy donation also can be a great option. With this kind of gift, your costs are the tax-deductible premiums paid while the gift to SHSMO is the entire face value of the policy. You can gift an existing life insurance policy or begin a new policy for the purpose of gifting. Contact the holder of your life insurance policy for instructions on how to donate your policy.

Donating your IRA or other assets directly to SHSMO allows your estate to benefit from no income tax on the distribution of those assets and provides a tax deduction for the contribution, which can be used to offset estate taxes.

To name SHSMO as a beneficiary of an IRA or 401(k), fill out the beneficiary form through your employer or plan administrator. For married donors, you will need to know if your spouse’s signature is required as some states have this regulation. 

Thank You

Thank you for supporting SHSMO through your generous gifts! Contact us at (573) 882-7083 or GivingToSHSMO@shsmo.org to discuss your giving options.