Benefits of joining the Pioneer Fund with gifts over $5,000:
- Priority in potential naming opportunities
- Invitation to a special groundbreaking event
- Recognition on a Pioneer Wall at the new museum plus online and print recognition.
- Three-year family membership
- Special recognition at the opening of new museum
Both cash gifts and pledges made by March 31, 2023 count toward the Pioneer Fund. Pledges can be made over three years for pledges under $250,000 and four years for gifts over $250,000.
Early funds will contribute to building, education, and operating costs.
Be a pioneer and donate or make a pledge today.
All donations are welcomed and will be used for the Pioneer Fund to help secure the land and early expenses of the campaign. Click here to Donate today!
Campaign Gifts
The Sarpy County Historical Society oversees and operates the Sarpy County Museum. The Historical Society was incorporated in 1953 and in 1970, a museum was opened in Bellevue for the sole purpose of preserving and promoting the rich history of the Sarpy County area.
Gifts, sponsorships and membership fees paid to the Sarpy County Museum help fund exhibits, collections, educational programs, community outreach and day-to-day operating expenses.
Your contribution to the Sarpy County Museum will enable us to move forward with the construction of a new museum near Highway 370 and South 90th Street in Papillion. The museum will offer enhanced space for the museum’s current collection, traveling exhibits, administrative offices, education areas, and archival storage. The facility will also house the nationally renowned Wimmer Railroad Collection acquired by Bill and Judy Wimmer and comprised of more than 10,000 unique pieces of railroad history.
Ways to Support the Museum
Donating cash: Donating by check or through our online credit card giving platform or bank transfer may be the quickest and most convenient way to give. Please keep in mind that the Museum will be charged a credit card processing fee between 3% to 5% per transaction, which reduces your net contribution.
Donate stocks: If you’re looking for a smart way to donate to the Museum, we encourage you to consider donating shares of appreciated stock. Donating (transferring) stock gives you the opportunity to save on both capital gains and income taxes and allows you to deduct the value of the stock at current market rates regardless of your original purchase price.
Ask your employer if they will match your gift: Some employers offer gift-matching programs for qualified charities, meaning they’ll match your donation up to a certain amount. This may effectively double your contribution and provide a greater impact to the Museum.
Create or contribute through a Donor-Advised Fund: A Donor-Advised Fund, or DAF, is an investment account where all the assets you invest go to charity. You can establish a DAF using cash, stocks or other assets, thus allowing your contributions to grow tax-free over time. Upon establishing your DAF, you receive an income tax deduction for the amount you contributed in that tax year and retain the flexibility to direct future charitable gifts through the fund.
Make Qualified Charitable Distributions from your retirement account: Those over 70.5 years of age or older can make charitable donations made payable directly to the Museum from their IRA account. Since normal withdraws from your IRA are considered taxable income, making a withdraw directly payable to The Sarpy County Museum avoids taxes and increases the value of your contribution. Those 72 years of age or older needing to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) should also consider using their IRA to make a gift to the Museum and avoid tax liabilities.
Make a Pledge: Making a three or four-year pledge to The Sarpy County Museum Pioneer Fund is a proven and efficient way to leverage your resources over time, effectively spreading out your contribution over time and avoiding a bigger one-time hit on your financial planning.
Gifts of Real Estate: Donating real estate to the Museum, may enable you to eliminate capital gains taxes and allow you to claim the current fair market appraised value of your property as a tax deduction.
Leave a legacy gift to the Museum: There are many ways you can donate to the Sarpy County Museum through simple estate planning:
- Name The Sarpy County Museum as a beneficiary in your will by listing a specific gift, property or a set amount of money or stock
- You can also allocate a percentage of your total final estate to the Museum
- Name Sarpy County Museum as a beneficiary on your insurance policies, IRA’s and other investments
- Consider transferring paid-up insurance policies into the Sarpy County Museum name
Recognition of Donors and Loved Ones: There are several commemorative opportunities for giving, the details of which can be obtained from talking with Museum staff. For more information, please contact:
Ben Justman Executive Director
The Sarpy County Museum
2402 Clay Street
Bellevue, NE 68005 t 402.292.1880 e director@sarpymuseum.org
Gifts to Sarpy County Museum are tax deductible in accordance with federal and Nebraska law. The Sarpy County Historical Society, a Nebraska Nonprofit, is organized and existing under the laws of Nebraska, with principal business address of 2402 Clay Street, Bellevue, NE 68005. Tax identification number: 47-6046355