Donations & Legacies

The collection of The National Maritime Museum originated from the initiative of a group of passionate private citizens from Amsterdam. In 1916, the founders—united in the Vereeniging Nederlandsch Historisch Scheepvaart Museum—joined forces to show as many people as possible the role Dutch seafaring has played, and continues to play, in the world. This effort led to the creation of one of the largest and most significant maritime collections in the world, brought together in a dedicated museum.

Leaving a Legacy

You can include The National Maritime Museum and/or the Vereeniging Nederlandsch Historisch Scheepvaart Museum (VNHSM) in your will. This can range from a small amount or an artwork to an entire estate. Every contribution is deeply appreciated.

There are various forms of legacy giving possible:

• A bequest: you leave a specific sum of money or an object.
• An inheritance allocation: the museum receives a share or percentage of your estate.
• A named fund: starting from €50,000, you can establish a personal fund through your legacy.
• Appointing The National Maritime Museum or VNHSM as (co-)heir in your will.

Thanks to these contributions, we can conduct research, organize exhibitions and public programs, and expand our collection.

The National Maritime Museum and the Vereeniging Nederlandsch Historisch Scheepvaart Museum are both designated as ANBIs—public benefit organizations under Dutch law. As ANBIs, we are fully exempt from gift and inheritance tax. If you consider leaving a legacy, your contribution will benefit our activities in full. You can find more information about our ANBI status here. 

Donating capital

If you would like to make a financial donation to us, you can decide—together with us—how your gift will be used. There are several ways to donate capital:

• One-time donation: via an agreement or notarial deed. If you make a one-time donation, it may be deducted from your taxable annual income.
• Recurring donation: if you spread your donation over five years, it is fully deductible from your income tax. This must be recorded in an agreement, which you can find on the website of the Dutch Tax Administration. 
• Named fund: starting from €50,000, you can define both the purpose and the name of the fund. You will be personally involved in how the fund is used.

Depending on your preference, your donation can benefit a specific project. A remarkable example is the gift from Stichting Het Meyjes Fonds. They established a named fund that enabled us to appoint a scientific researcher for a period of five years to study the development of Dutch shipbuilding.

Donating an object

Private donations have played a vital role in building our collection. If you wish to donate, bequeath, or offer an object or artwork on (long-term) loan, we would be pleased to connect you with our curators. Donating objects or artworks may qualify as a tax-deductible item on your income tax return—especially in the form of a periodic gift. In addition, the Dutch government allows inheritance tax to be paid with objects of art-historical value. A special committee evaluates whether objects qualify for this scheme.You can find more information about this regulation on the website of the Dutch Tax Administration. 

Contact

Are you considering donating capital or an object to The National Maritime Museum or VNHSM, or would you like more information about leaving a legacy? Our team would be happy to get in touch and assist you further.

NALATEN
Betty van Steinvoorn
Relatiemanager
bvsteinvoorn@hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl

OBJECTEN
Jeroen van der Vliet
Hoofd Collecties
info@hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl