If you would like to support American Ancestors today, consider the giving options below — many of which have financial and personal benefits to you.
You can learn more about these special opportunities in our free resource, Smart Ways to Make an Impact Now, and other complimentary planning resources. These resources are just a click away!
Donate Now
To support American Ancestors’ current work, make a gift online or by mail:
American Ancestors
Advancement Office
97 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
Call 617-226-1217 to provide credit card information by phone
Recommend a grant now from your donor-advised fund
You can conveniently initiate a grant from your DAF using the link below. Simply type in the name of your fund sponsor and the system will prompt you through the process.
Memorial or Tribute Gift
When you give a memorial or tribute gift to American Ancestors to honor someone special, you’re expressing your love, admiration, and gratitude in one of the most meaningful ways there is. Your gift will honor your loved one, create a lasting tribute, and continue the work of preserving family history, heritage, and culture.
Gifts of Appreciated Securities
Matching Gift Opportunities
Would you like to maximize the impact of your giving and encourage other supporters to mobilize on behalf of family historians? Consider sponsoring a matching gift challenge. Donate a pool of funds to American Ancestors, from which we will match any donation made within a given period of time. In this way, you can double the impact of your giving.
Qualified Charitable Distribution
You can transfer funds from your IRA directly to American Ancestors. This is an effective way to have an immediate impact and ensure our work of advancing the study of family history. Here’s how it works:
- You must be age 70 ½ or older.
- An individual may transfer up to a total of $108,000 per year, and a married couple may give up to $216,000.
- Your gift must be transferred directly from the IRA account to American Ancestors.
- Your gift is a transfer of funds from your IRA to American Ancestors, so it does not count as income for the year.
- If you are age 73 or older, the transfer of funds counts towards your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA.
You can download a sample letter for your IRA administrator here to start the distribution process. You may also be able to request a qualified charitable distribution through your online account portal.
Please note: If you are still working and contributing to a retirement account, this gift could impact your taxable income. Please consult a qualified advisor before making a gift.
See Your Impact
Watch as Henry Louis Gates, Jr., host of Finding Your Roots on PBS, interviews American Ancestors President and CEO, Ryan J. Woods, where they discuss the importance of the 10 Million Names Project.
Our Team is Here to Help
Our experienced team is here to help you…
- Learn about special projects that align with your interests.
- Structure a donation that maximizes benefits for you and your loved ones.
- Stay up to date on how your gift is used.
- And more!