Gifts and Bequests
The collection of the Maritime Museum largely exists thanks to bequests, donations, and financial support from private individuals, maritime entrepreneurs, and foundations.
The Maritime Museum’s collection is one of the largest and most prominent maritime collections in the world, illustrating six centuries of Dutch maritime history. It is a collection we are proud of and carefully preserve for future generations.
Built through donations and bequests
The very first donations, made some 150 years ago by Prince Hendrik “the Navigator,” formed the foundation of our collection. Maritime entrepreneurs such as Ruys, Engelbrecht, and Van Beuningen followed his example and inspired many after them. Thanks to these donations and support, we can continue to share unique stories about the maritime world of the past, present, and future.
Follow in the footsteps of Prince Hendrik
Even today, your support is still greatly needed. With your help, acquisitions of unique heritage, educational projects, restorations of the collection, and exhibitions can be realized—ensuring the collection remains accessible to everyone and preserved for the future.
Every gift, large or small, is very welcome. Donations to a museum can take the form of financial contributions or an object or artwork that enriches the collection.
Financial donations
One-time or periodic donations: via an agreement or notarial deed. If you spread the donation over five years, it is fully deductible from income tax.
Named fund: you decide which project your donation supports and give the project a name. A named fund can be established by individuals, families, companies, and foundations. Often, such a fund is created during one’s lifetime, but it can also be arranged through a provision in a will.
Assets on loan or usufruct: the Maritime Museum receives the returns on your assets (or those of your heirs) for a specified period.
Donation of maritime objects or artworks
Do you own a special maritime object or artwork and are you considering donating it to the Maritime Museum? Please contact our Head of Collections, Robert Anraad, to discuss whether your object or artwork can be added to the museum collection. Send an e-mail to r.anraad@maritiemmuseum.nl or give us a call: 010-413 26 80.
You can donate an object directly to the Maritime Museum. This can be done as a one-time or periodic donation, through an agreement or notarial deed. If you spread the donation over five years, it is fully deductible from income tax. You may also place an object on loan prior to donating it or including it in a bequest.
Bequests
What will you leave to future generations? A meaningful and lasting way to shape your legacy is by supporting the museum in its mission to inspire future generations to look beyond the horizon. You can do this by including the Maritime Museum in your will. A bequest allows you to support the Maritime Museum in a valuable and enduring way.
Different ways of leaving a bequest in your will:
- Legacy (Legaat): A gift specified in your will—such as an object or artwork—to the Maritime Museum. This can be a fixed amount or a sum equal to a percentage of your estate.
- Heirship (Erfstelling): It is possible to designate the Maritime Museum as one of your heirs in your will.
- Named Fund: With a named fund, you assign a specific purpose to your bequest. For example, you may choose to support the restoration of paintings or technical education for children. You can establish your own fund from your estate starting from €50,000.
A donation can mean more than you might think. The Schottel boat “Conrad” was given a new purpose with the Sea Scouts and shows how bequests can inspire younger generations to explore the maritime world.
Would you like to make a donation?
Would you like to make a donation or leave a bequest, learn more about the possibilities, or schedule a personal meeting? Please contact Anna Moerkens - van Willigen from the Development department via relatiebeheer@maritiemmuseum.nl or call +31 (0)10 402 9256.
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