Collections - Frequently Asked QuestionsHow can I donate objects to the CHM collection?We welcome inquiries from people who are interested in donating objects to the CHM collection. If you have an item you are considering donating, please contact a staff member according to the category of the item.
We accept gifts to the collection based on a list of criteria in the CHM Collections Policy. We will consider the following questions when offered an item for the collection:
In accordance with the CHM Collections Policy, staff will not accept donations offered with limitations placed on their exhibition or use. CHM also does not accept long term loan agreements, except under exceptional circumstances. Can CHM staff appraise an object for me?In accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina, the Ethics Policies of the American Association of Museums and the CHM, and the CHM Collections Policy, staff cannot appraise an artifact for you. However, we would be happy to help you identify it, date it, and to find a way to help you preserve it. Are gifts to the CHM collection tax deductible?Yes, the fair market value of donations to the CHM collection are tax deductible. The fair market value of the item(s) can be assigned in several ways, but never by the museum staff. If the value of the item is $500 or less, minimal documentation of the value is necessary. If the value of the item(s) is more than $500 but less than $5,000, the fair market value may be assigned by researching the value of similar items recently sold on the open market. A qualified appraisal can also be done. If the value of the item(s) is over $5,000, a qualified appraisal must be obtained. IRS Publication 561, “Determining the Value of Donated Property,” is very helpful in deciding what documentation is necessary for your gift. If you have other questions about our collections, please contact Sarah LeCount at 803.684.3948 ext. 35 or email her at slecount@chmuseums.org.
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