AAM Tax Reform Survey

Charitable Giving Survey

Please respond by November 30.

The American Alliance of Museums provides this brief survey in coordination with the Charitable Giving Coalition. We encourage you to complete the nine short survey questions about the need for services in your community and giving trends at your organization since the 2017 tax law took effect.

Background: Exacerbating existing charitable giving trends, the 2017 tax law significantly changed the charitable giving environment by doubling the standard deduction, among other items. The Charitable Giving Coalition, made up of hundreds of charities and associations involved in providing philanthropic services to communities across the country, including the American Alliance of Museums, is examining the impact of these tax changes on charitable giving throughout 2019 and beyond. AAM plans to collect this survey data periodically.

This information will be used to communicate with policy makers, including members of Congress, to make the case that legislation is warranted to help increase giving. We need both quantitative responses (numbers and percentages) as well as qualitative responses to help frame giving and service challenges in our communities.

Questions or additional information to share? Contact us at governmentrelations@aam-us.org.
1. Is the projected need in your community for your services increasing or decreasing at this time in 2019 compared to the same time in 2018?

YesNo
1a. Please elaborate on what the need looks like in your community.
2. How did your 4th quarter fundraising (October through December) in 2018 compare to your fundraising in 4th quarter 2017?

Increased by more than 30%Increased between 16-30%Increased between 1-15%Stayed approximately the sameDecreased between 1-15%Decreased between 16-30%Decreased more than 30%
2a. If you know the exact amount your fundraising increased or decreased by, please enter it here:
Percentage Increase or Decrease
3. How did your 1st quarter fundraising (January through March) in 2019 compare to your fundraising in 1st quarter 2018?

Increased by more than 30%Increased between 16-30%Increased between 1-15%Stayed approximately the sameDecreased between 1-15%Decreased between 16-30%Decreased more than 30%
3a. If you know the exact amount your fundraising increased or decreased by, please enter it here:
Percentage Increase or Decrease
4. Is your organization projecting that private, charitable giving to your organization will increase, decrease, or stay about the same by the end of 2019?

Increase by more than 30%Increase between 16-30%Increase between 1-15%Stay approximately the sameDecrease between 1-15%Decrease between 16-30%Decrease more than 30%
5. If there is a decrease in funding at your organization, how will you fill the gap (Choose all that apply):

Decrease hours of operationServe fewer peopleCut staffing and/or staff benefitsTake out loansDip into "rainy day funds" or endowmentsInvest in additional fundraising
6. Are donors expressing confusion or uncertainty about their giving so far this year due to changes in the tax law?

NoYes
6a. If the answer above is "Yes" please provide an example of what donors are saying.
7. Are donors expressing plans to delay giving this year or even into 2020 because of changes in the tax law?

NoYes
7a. If the answer above is "Yes" please provide an example of what donors are saying or planning.
8. What is the budget size of your museum or organization?

Less than $250,000$250,000 - $499,999$500,000 - $999,999$1,000,000- $2,999,999$3,000,000 - $4,999,999$5,000,000 - $9,999,999$10,000,000 - $49,999,999$50,000,000 - $74,999,999$75 million or more
9. Please indicate your museum or organization's primary type:

AquariumAnthropologyArboretum/Botanic GardenArt Museum/Sculpture GardenChildren'sCulturally SpecificHall of FameHistoric HouseHistoric SiteHistoryHistorical SocietyMilitary/BattlefieldNature CenterNatural HistoryPlanetariumPresidential LibraryScience/TechnologyTransportationVisitor CenterZooSpecialized (single topic/individual)Friends group / nonprofit support group for a museum
Should be Empty: