Major Giving

Want to support an art education program, sponsor an internship or fellowship, fund a conservation project? Make a major contribution to an area or initiative you care about.  

Private philanthropy plays a vital role in sustaining the National Gallery of Art. When Andrew W. Mellon and his children established the National Gallery, their generosity and public spirit inspired others to contribute extraordinary works of art, collections, and resources for the benefit of the nation.

As a unique public-private partnership, the National Gallery cannot use federal funds for acquisitions or special exhibitions. These initiatives—and many of the National Gallery’s educational, scholarly, and conservation efforts—are made possible entirely through private support.  

Donors may choose to direct their gifts toward a specific area of interest or provide unrestricted support where it is needed most. In appreciation, donors are recognized through National Gallery events and publications.

We welcome the opportunity to learn more about your philanthropic goals. Complete this brief form, and we will connect you with a staff member who can help develop a giving plan tailored to your interests and needs. 

Curious about giving a major gift to the National Gallery of Art?

Areas of interest
Unrestricted gifts—those with no conditions on the use of donated funds—help the National Gallery in many significant ways. Unrestricted spendable gifts enable the National Gallery to meet immediate needs and help build a secure funding resource for the future.
Committed to preserving and protecting the works of art held in trust for the American people, the National Gallery’s conservation scientists are at the forefront in developing highly specialized methods and using advanced technology to analyze works of art and explore how they were made.
The National Gallery of Art has many program areas in which donors may invest. Designating gifts to support specific programs, such as K–12 education programs and the internship program, help further the National Gallery’s mission.
Major donors have helped the National Gallery host special public exhibitions on subjects ranging from ancient Pompeii to Andy Warhol. Individuals or foundations may sponsor an exhibition with other donors. Those who sponsor receive a variety of benefits and are recognized in various ways that acknowledge their support.
While the National Gallery is home to many renowned masterpieces, significant gaps in the collection remain, generating the need to increase and improve the museum’s holdings. Every work of art in the collection represents a story of private generosity, and the National Gallery looks to its major donors to help maintain the high quality of the collection by making gifts for the acquisition of art. Those who do so receive a variety of benefits and are recognized in various ways that honor their commitment.
The Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts (the Center) and the National Gallery of Art Library are premier centers for research that support worldclass scholarship. The Center is a research institution that fosters study of the production, use, and cultural meaning of art and encourages a variety of approaches by historians, critics, and theorists of art and related disciplines. Likewise, our library is a major national art research center serving the scholarly community. It is a valuable resource for scholars and the general public alike.