Insider access to special events that celebrate art and the MFA’s mission.
Patron Program
Carla Hemlock, Survivors (detail), 2011–13. Cotton plain weave, pieced; glass beads, applied; cotton and polyester batting, quilted. The Heritage Fund for a Diverse Collection. Reproduced with permission.
Join the Patron Program today!
Patrons’ support is at the heart of our ability to sustain the MFA’s mission and expand its impact. Patrons provide essential unrestricted funding for the Museum by contributing more than 7 million dollars annually. Patron support underwrites key exhibitions and programs that bring people and art together in a way that both opens eyes and lives. Join us today to experience the power of your philanthropic leadership at work!
Patron Program 2020–21 Season
Learn more about the benefits of Patron membership and view our full season of Patron events in our digital brochure.
Levels and Benefits
All Patron Program members have access to a wonderful range of special benefits:
Complimentary Admission
Complimentary timed-entry admission tickets
Special Events
Invitations to a host of exceptional events, including the Summer Party
Reciprocal Admission
Reciprocal admission benefits at 22 major art museums
Special Access*
Early access to exhibitions and admission tickets
Direct Line
Access to staff dedicated to personally handling your requests
Travel
Opportunities to travel with curators
Recognition
Recognition in the Annual Report
Discounts
Enjoy up to 40% off parking and 10% off at Museum shops
Patron Member
Starting at $3,000 / year
- Museum admission for four adults and children 17 and under
- Twelve VIP passes per major exhibition*
- Invitations to all Patron Member events and learning opportunities
- Opportunity to learn more about the collections with Curators Circles
- $225 per household is not tax deductible
Patron Fellow
Starting at $6,000 / year
Deeper MFA access to intimate events including the annual Connoisseurship Seminar.
- All benefits at the Patron Member level
- Fourteen VIP passes per major exhibition*
- Invitations to all Patron Fellow events and learning opportunities
- $275 per household is not tax deductible
Patron Sponsor
Starting at $12,000 / year
Behind-the-scenes programs with curators and conservators at the Museum.
- All benefits at the Patron Fellow level
- Sixteen VIP passes per major exhibition*
- Invitations to all Patron Sponsor events and learning opportunities
- Ability to rent space at the MFA to host your private event with a 50% discount on the reservation fee
- $325 per household is not tax deductible
Director’s Circle
Starting at $30,000 / year
Visit a private collection in a Boston-area home and attend the Director’s annual Holiday Party.
- Unlimited admission for you and your guests
- Eighteen VIP passes per major exhibition*
- Invitations to all Director’s Circle events and learning opportunities
- Invitation to join the Ann and Graham Gund Director for a special travel opportunity*
- Abilities to rent space at the MFA to host your private event with the reservation fee fully waived and to host a wedding at the MFA (as the couple or the parents of the couple)
- $400 per household is not tax deductible
President’s Circle
Starting at $50,000 / year
Philanthropic leaders of the MFA’s family.
- All benefits at the Director’s Circle Patron level
- Twenty VIP passes per major exhibition*
- A complimentary exhibition catalogue selected by MFA staff
- $400 per household is not tax deductible
Chairman’s Circle
Starting at $100,000 / year
Provide essential operating support to the MFA at the highest leadership level.
- All benefits at the President’s Circle Patron level
- Thirty VIP passes per major exhibition*
- Opportunity to host an intimate cocktail party for up to ten guests at the MFA with the curator and collection of your choice*
- Complimentary valet parking*
- Complimentary annual membership in a Curators Circle of your choosing
- $400 per household is not tax deductible
Curators Circles
Take a deeper dive into the MFA’s collections with curators, conservators, and fellow enthusiasts through Curators Circles! Each group offers programming on a specific area of the collection; provides behind-the-scenes access to exhibitions, recent acquisitions, and research; and features artists and outside scholars. Current membership as a Patron, Museum Council, or membership at the Sustainer or Leader level is required.
*Indicates that these benefits are subject to limitations due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Patron Program Events
Patrons receive insider invitations throughout the year to both online and in-person special events.
Patron Program Newsletter
The Patron Newsletter is a biannual chronicle of engaging gatherings, behind-the-scenes talks, curator-led excursions, and more.
MFA Travel
MFA Travel is a benefit of Patron membership. While trips are currently on hold, we hope you will join us in the future.
Ways to Give
Monthly Payments
Prefer to give a set amount each month? With monthly payment options, giving has never been easier!
Contact the Patron Program office at 617-369-3211 or patronprogram@mfa.org to set up your monthly installments.
Monthly payments range from $250 for Patron Members, $500 for Patron Fellows, to $1,000 for Patron Sponsors.
Automatic Renewal
Want to make renewing easy and paper free? Your gift goes further when you enroll in MFA Automatic Renewal.
Check the MFA Automatic Renewal box when renewing online or contact the Patron Program office at 617-369-3211 or patronprogram@mfa.org to set this up.
Matching Gifts Through Your Employer
Is your company a matching gift employer? Many companies will increase the impact of your gift to the MFA. Please check Matching Gifts to see if your employer will match your donation. Obtain a Matching Gift Form from your human resources department and send it in with your Patron Program reply card and payment.
Foundations, Donor-Advised Funds, and IRA Charitable Rollovers
The Patron Program is pleased to welcome grants for the full amount of Patron membership recommended from charitable foundations, donor-advised funds, or IRA charitable rollovers. Specific rules apply: Patron members who give through these channels and wish to attend events must “pay as they go” for benefits received at events. Donors will be prompted to pay the entire per person value of each event. Accompanying each event invitation is an RSVP insert with payment information to be filled out and returned to our office.
If you have any questions, please contact the Patron Program office at 617-369-3211 or patronprogram@mfa.org.
Gift of Securities
When you make a gift of appreciated securities, you provide invaluable support to the MFA while receiving a double tax benefit—a charitable deduction and avoidance of capital gains tax.
Before initiating a gift, please contact Terry Lighte at 617-369-3733 or tlighte@mfa.org or Liz Sevy at 617-369-4311 or lsevy@mfa.org so that we know to expect the securities you are donating and can promptly acknowledge your contribution.
For more information, please visit Gifts of Securities