Support the Museum

Become a Member

Hunter Members provide more than 8.5% of the Museum’s annual support.  Hunter Members assist with exhibition expenses, educational opportunities for students, special Art + Issues discussions, and much more.  Memberships range from $30 to $5,000 and provide a variety of benefits, from special member’s-only events, to free or reduced admission to other museums across North America, to free or reduced rental of Hunter facilities. Our members are crucial to the success of the Hunter.  Please join today!   

Capital Gifts

Capital gifts are typically larger contributions, often made over a period of years, and are often given in support of capital building projects and/or the Museum's endowment. Capital gifts can provide support fo many things—from the construction, remodeling and maintenance of the Hunter's three buildings and grounds, to growing the endowment—these gifts support the mission and the long-term success of the Hunter.

How Can I Give?

Cash or Credit Card

Cash or a credit card is the simplest and fastest way to make an immediate gift to the Hunter Museum. Cash contributions are deductible to the full extent under IRS regulations.

Appreciated Securities

Membership, capital and Annual Fund gifts of appreciated securities may provide advantages for some donors. These are usually transfers of publicly-traded stock or securities, including mutual fund shares that have been owned long-term. Such transfers often allow contributors to realize a significant tax advantage. Individuals may be able to claim an income tax deduction for the full, fair market value of the securities. In order to make gifting easy and timely, please contact the Hunter’s Development Office before transferring securities.

To make a gift of stock, please use the following DTC instructions:
First Tennessee – DTC No. 2039
For credit to Hunter Museum of American Art– Account No. 8802437

First Tennessee
Chattanooga Main Office

701 Market Street

Chattanooga, TN 37402

Please notify Jeff Lemon at the Hunter of the transfer by calling 423.267.0979.

Appreciated Real Property

Donors may contribute appreciated real property, such as farms, land, second homes, and investment properties, which have significantly appreciated in value since their purchase. The advantages of gifting real estate are greatest when it has appreciated in value, has been owned long-term, and the property is considered a capital asset. Such contributions may assist contributors in avoiding capital gains taxes, as well as offering the opportunity to deduct the fair market value of the asset in the year the gift is made. As long as donors itemize their tax returns, if the entire charitable deduction is beyond a single year’s limits, excess deductions may be carried into as many as the following five years.

Planned Gifts

Planned giving takes a long-term view and involves the thoughtful selection of gift-giving opportunities that are favorable to donors, possibly providing personal financial or family benefits. With a planned gift, the Hunter Museum receives the asset at some future time, often after donors have received lifetime income. Significant tax benefits may result, depending on the type of gift and the assets used to fund it. There are a variety of planned giving opportunities that fit particular, personal circumstances.

Please email Hunter Museum Development Director Jeff Lemon or call 423.267.0979 for more information.

Matching Gifts

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees.  Check with your company’s personnel office to see if your employer matches gifts.  If your company is eligible, request a matching gift from your employer, and send it completed and signed with your gift.   The Hunter will do the rest.  The impact of your gift to the Museum may be doubled or possibly tripled!  Some companies also match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses.