The Denman Waldo Ross Society was established in 2003 to honor individuals, corporations, and foundations who assist the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, with the critical goal of continuously enhancing and stewarding its world-renowned collections.

The Ross Society recognizes those who have:

• Made donations of art to the Museum or irrevocably pledged a future gift of art
• Provided funds for the purchase of art at a minimum of $2,500 on or after July 1, 2001
• Contributed funds dedicated to the conservation and care of the collection at a minimum of $2,500 on or after July 1, 2021 

Members are listed in the Museum’s annual report and other publications and receive invitations to annual recognition events and other educational opportunities, including a day-long seminar for collectors.

Denman Waldo Ross was an artist, art collector, a educator, who in 1899 was appointed special lecturer on design in Harvard’s School of Architecture and formally joined the Department of Fine Arts at Harvard in 1909. When Ross was not teaching, he traveled throughout Europe, Asia, and Egypt, and in Central and South America, collecting art wherever he went. He passionately believed that all of humanity deserves to enjoy great art and lived out that philosophy by generously sharing his collection, giving some 11,000 objects in all to the Museum over the course of 40 years.

Ross Society Fellows

The MFA has also formed the Ross Society Fellows to honor those who have contributed $1 million or more in funds to build and care for the Museum’s collection. The Fellows are given additional recognition in donor lists and receive invitations to special seminars and other exclusive events focusing on collecting and connoisseurship.