Your Support Makes a Difference
Gifts from friends like you allow the Fort Benton Museums to serve our community with inspiring educational programs, in-depth historical research, and the care, study, and exhibition of our collections. As a privately funded, tax exempt organization, the River and Plains Society’s Fort Benton Museum Complex (Old Fort Benton, The Museum of the Northern Great Plains and the Museum of the Upper Missouri) depends on financial contributions to remain a leader in advancing knowledge and appreciation of the history of this region. The Museums appreciate unrestricted gifts that allow us to apply funds to areas needing the most support, as well as gifts designated to support one of the specific museums, or one of the museums many special projects.
Membership
Be a part of the worldwide community that supports The Fort Benton Museums mission to educate and preserve the History of Montana. Join as a member today!
While members enjoy benefits such as admission for yourself, spouse and your underage children, discounts at The Museums Gift Shops, and subscriptions to the quarterly Members’ Newsletter, membership also provides general support for The Museums operations.
Membership comes at a variety of levels.
Sign up by printing, completing and mailing the form to us or stop in it our office or one of the museums during your next visit and we’ll help you out.
The Museums Annual Membership Drive provides general support toward all of the museum’s activities. Your unrestricted gift to the Annual Drive allows us to apply funds to the following areas:
- Exhibits: Your gift supports curatorial research, design and installation of exhibits.
- Educational Programs: Your gift ensures that The Museums reach adults, families, and school groups across the region with quality educational programs.
- Conservation & Collections Care: Your gift supports archival supplies and other materials needed to preserve The Museums world-class collections for generations to come
Support for Special Projects
The Fort Benton Museums also have many opportunities for those who wish to make gifts to support special projects, such as specific exhibitions or ongoing re-construction at the Fort, or the Schwinden Library and Archives and the Overholser Historical Research Center for the care of the collections including conservation. Please contact the River and Plains Society’s Executive Director at 406-622-5136, or email us to learn more about current projects at The Museums that you can support, as well as opportunities for recognition of your gift.
Other Ways to Give
Gifts of Securities
A charitable contribution of stock to The Fort Benton Museums may be deducted from your income taxes in the amount equal to the full fair market value of the security on the date it is given. To take full advantage of a stock gift, the shares need to be transferred directly to the River and Plains Society, Inc. If you would like to make a gift of stock and would like information on how to complete the transaction, please contact the River and Plains Society at 406-622-5316 7 or email us.
Matching Gifts
You can increase the impact of your gift if your company matches charitable contributions. For more information, contact your company’s personnel office for the necessary forms. Mail completed forms with your contribution to the River and Plains/Museums office at the address below:
The Fort Benton Museums
PO Box 262
Fort Benton, MT 59442
Planned Gifts
Supporters can provide legacy gifts for The Museums through a bequest specified in your will, by making The Fort Benton Museums a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy, or by establishing a charitable trust. A planned gift to The Fort Benton Museums will help ensure the museums sustainability for future generations for visitors, researchers, and scholars. It also can provide significant tax benefits to your estate. To learn more about planned giving opportunities, call 406-622-5316.
Corporate Support
Companies looking to reach the our world wide audience, as well as history and culture lovers across the country, are invited to partner with The Fort Benton Museums through support for exhibitions, educational programs, on going construction, or special events. To learn more about corporate sponsorship, including recognition opportunities and benefits, please contact the River and Plains Society’s Executive Director at 406-622-5316 or email us.