Skip to Content

Masterpiece Society

Friends, members and volunteers who include the Crocker Art Museum in their estate plans play a key role in our fiscal stability. Legacy gifts build the Museum’s endowment, a perpetual fund from which earned income provides essential financial support for all aspects of the Crocker. We recognize the commitment of these visionary donors by granting them membership in the Masterpiece Society.

The Masterpiece Society was created to honor legacy donors for their commitment to the Crocker Art Museum and the visual arts. Masterpiece Society members understand the critical importance of securing the Crocker’s future by providing gifts to support acquisitions, exhibitions, conservation, education and other public programs. Their support of the Crocker extends far into the future, even beyond a lifetime of membership, support and volunteer hours.

Legacy gifts from Masterpiece Society members through their wills, trusts or other estate plans ensure the continued vitality and growth of the Museum from one generation to the next. In becoming Masterpiece Society members, our supporters make an extraordinary, lasting gift to their loved ones and to our community.

We would be pleased to assist you at any time, and can provide free, no-obligation estate planning materials to supplement your personal professional advisers. Please contact the Development Office at (916) 808-7843 or development@crockerart.org.

 

Your Lifetime Benefits

To thank members of the Masterpiece Society, we extend lifetime benefits that include:

– An annual event honoring Masterpiece Society members

– Invitations to private receptions, special events, and seminars

– A listing as a member of the Masterpiece Society on the Donor Wall in the Museum and in ArtLetter, the Museum’s member magazine (name listed with member’s permission).

 

 

 

To Become a Member

Becoming a member of the Masterpiece Society is simple. In fact, you have already qualified for membership if you have named the Crocker Art Museum in your will or trust, or have otherwise included us in your estate plans with a gift of at least $25,000. When you inform us of your gift, we respect your wishes for participation, whether you wish to be recognized or would prefer to remain anonymous. Any details of your gift are held in strictest confidence.

Please let us know your plans. We would like to thank you and express to you the importance of your gift to the future of the Crocker Art Museum.

 
eBrochure Request Form

Please provide the following information to view the brochure.

First name is required
Last Name is required
Please include an '@' in the email address

Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

Rent the Crocker

Whether hosting your wedding or a corporate reception, the Crocker Art Museum is the perfect canvas for your special event. Our unique setting and exceptional service guarantees an unparalleled experience. Please contact the Facility Use Department for more information.

Contact us

Become a member

Get the scoop on the benefits of joining the Crocker.

Join the family

Upcoming events

There's something for everyone happening at the Crocker this month.

Learn more

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to the Crocker Art Museum a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

 Bequest Language

The official bequest language for the Crocker Art Museum is "I,(name), of (city, state, ZIP), give, devise and bequeath to the Crocker Art Museum Association (written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property) for its unrestricted use and purpose."

Tax ID: 94-2552486

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to the Crocker Art Museum or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the Crocker Art Museum as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the Crocker Art Museum as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and the Crocker Art Museum where you agree to make a gift to the Crocker Art Museum and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
Personal Estate Planning Kit Request Form

Please provide the following information to view the materials for planning your estate.

First name is required
Last Name is required
Please include an '@' in the email address