America's mid-century Modernist houses are brilliant, livable works of art, yet they are being bulldozed in record numbers - largely because buyers, sellers, realtors, and cities are unaware of their importance - or how to preserve, repair, and protect them. You can't save something if you don't know where it is, so support for documentation and research programs is critical.
Your donations support USModernist and NCModernist:
Architect/House Archives (25,000 houses, 180 architects)
Architecture Media Library (5 million pages)
USModernist Radio (450 episodes, 750 guests)
Preservation and Advocacy
Modernist Archive, Inc.,
DBA USModernist and NCModernist is a 501C3 North Carolina nonprofit educational archive operating as USModernist and NCModernist. All donations are tax-deductible. Our EIN is 26-3643357.
Credit Card Donations
Click the Donate button below for any credit card, debit card, or checking account. PayPal is our credit card processor. You do not need a PayPal account to donate. Or, call 919.740.8407 to process a credit card donation over the phone.
Check Donations
Send to Modernist Archive Inc, 5409 Pelham Road, Durham NC 27713.
Contemporary Furniture + Art Donations
Do you have a basement/attic/storage unit full of contemporary
furniture or abstract art? We accept donations of contemporary art and sculpture with free pickup within North Carolina; other locations can be arranged. Contact Devra Dubroff,
devra@usmodernist.org.
Cryptocurrency Donations
Contact
george@usmodernist.org
for a crypto address. We accept most any currency handled by
Coinbase.
Legacy Leadership Gifts:
Secure the Future of
Modernist History
Imagine a future where the innovative spirit of mid-century modernism is lost to time, where the stories of visionary architects and designers fade into obscurity. That was the 1980's, and we work to prevent that happening again in the future. Through our extensive digital archives, USModernist brings to life the vibrant history of modernism. A gift of $25,000 allows entry into the Optimism Circle. With that comes lifetime Mod Squad membership, highlighted recognition on the website and in the newsletter (if you wish, this can be anonymous), a year’s admission into any US-based tours or parties that we host, and a USModernist or NCModernist architecture archive will be named for you for a year. It's like having your own museum wing ... except a lot smaller and less expensive.
The groundbreaking ideas and timeless beauty of modern architecture and design should be freely available to everyone, for generations to come. We're on a vital mission to ensure that this invaluable cultural and educational resource is not only preserved but made easily accessible to students, researchers, enthusiasts, and the curious minds of tomorrow. A planned gift or bequest to USModernist is more than just a donation; it's an investment in the intellectual and cultural heritage of our society. It's a powerful statement that you value education, appreciate design, and believe in the enduring power of knowledge. Your generosity will significantly strengthen our ability to expand our free, publicly accessible digital archives, making even more rare and vital architectural resources available worldwide. Develop innovative educational programs that inspire the next generation of architects, designers, and historians.Preserve historical documents and photographs that might otherwise be lost forever.Maintain and enhance our award-winning online platforms, ensuring seamless access to our vast collection.
We understand that every donor has unique financial and philanthropic objectives. We offer a variety of planned giving options designed to align with your specific situation, helping you achieve your goals while making a profound impact on the future of USModernist. Join us in safeguarding the legacy of Modernist architecture and design for generations to come. By including USModernist in your estate plans, you are ensuring that the beauty, innovation, and educational value of Modernism remain freely accessible to all.
Appreciated Securities: When you find appreciated investments in your portfolio -- be it from stock, mutual funds, ETFs, or other securities -- consider donating them to USModernist. Donating appreciated assets can provide you with a charitable tax deduction for the full fair market value of the asset and avoid or reduce capital gains tax obligations.
Real Estate: Donate land or built property to USModernist. Modernist houses in good condition will be put into a preservation easement, assuring they will not be destroyed (except for extreme events like floods, fire, etc.)
Life Insurance: Add USModernist as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy. Most companies let you add beneficiaries online and with no cost, and more than that, it's a great way to magnify your giving – with USModernist receiving part of the policy's death benefit. Premiums may be deductible as a charitable contribution.
Tax-Deferred
Accounts (IRA, 401K, 403B .Annuities): Did
you know that people often have money left over in their
IRAs at the end of their lives? Normally, those IRAs
would go to children, but given recent tax law changes, that
may cause them more headache than cashflow – especially if
they're like you and already successful. Instead of
compounding their tax burden, consider adding USModernist as
a beneficiary of your Traditional IRA, 401k/403b, or
annuity. You can rest assured your donation would go
towards something that aligns with your values. For
many, that's better than the alternative of having money
spirited away by federal and state taxes.
Charitable Gift Annuities: A charitable gift annuity (CGA) allows you to donate assets, such as cash or appreciated securities, in exchange for a lifetime income payment. Income figures can vary depending on your preferences and needs (subject to factors such age and prevailing interest rates). Upon your passing, your funds continue to support USModernist for years to come. A CGA can be a particularly attractive option if you would like to increase your retirement income while reducing taxable assets. Depending on how the annuity is structured, you may be eligible for an immediate charitable income tax deduction, and a portion of the payments you receive may be tax-free. If you fund the annuity with appreciated securities, you may also enjoy reduced or spread-out capital gains taxes over time. In a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT), you donate assets, receive a charitable donation, and USModernist receives the property at the end of the trust. In a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT), you donate assets, designate a family member as beneficiary of any income, and USModernist receives the property at the end of the Trust. In a Charitable Lead Trust (CLT), you transfer stocks or bonds to a trustee (like a community foundation or donor-advised fund) who pays any income to USModernist. USModernist receives the remainder at the end of the trust.
Bequests & Beneficiary Designations: One
of the most meaningful ways to ensure USModernist endures
for future generations is to name us in your estate plan:
retirement accounts, trusts, insurance policies, or wills.
Leave a legacy of support without affecting your current
financial situation. Bequests and beneficiary
designations offer you great flexibility; you retain full
control of your assets during your lifetime and can adjust
your plans as needed. Additionally, naming ___ as a
beneficiary of a traditional IRA or 401(k), can be highly
tax-efficient. While these accounts would be subject to
income tax if inherited by individuals, the full amount can
pass tax-free to USModernist, stretching your donation even
further to support our mission.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): A donor-advised
fund (DAF) is a flexible, tax-efficient way to manage your
charitable giving. Think of it as a mini-foundation or
charitable investment account; you can contribute assets
(e.g. cash, stock, or other investments), receive an
immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the
fund to support causes you care about. Moreover, DAFs
allow for giving in a strategic way that aligns with your
values, letting you enjoy a tax deduction now while giving
over multiple years. This can be especially useful in
high-income years when a larger deduction is most valuable.
Additionally, assets in a DAF can be invested for potential
growth, allowing your charitable impact to extend even
further. Or, if you already have a DAF, consider
recommending a grant to USModernist.
Qualified Charitable Distributions: A
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a distribution
from a tax-advantaged IRA that is made directly to a
qualified charitable organization. Rather than
donating out of your post-tax money, such as your bank
checking or savings account, a QCD allows you to donate IRA
funds pre-tax, bypassing your need to pay ordinary income
tax on the distribution. There are important
considerations to using strategy, namely that QCDs are an
IRA strategy, not currently possible with employer
retirement plans, such as 401(k)s or 403(b)s. Donors
must be older than 70 ½ to use the strategy, and, although
QCDs are possible with inherited/beneficiary IRAs, the
beneficiary must also be over 70 ½ to qualify for QCD.
Qualified Charitable Distributions are potentially powerful
strategies to avoid paying unnecessary taxes while
supporting the organizations you love.
For assistance contact Executive Director George Smart at george@usmodernist.org or 919.740.8407.