Membership

Every membership helps the Smithsonian thrive

At the heart of the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, the National Zoo and numerous research and education centers, are the people who sustain our commitment to celebrating our nation’s history, our art and science, our inventions—and preserving them for future generations.

Become a Member Renew Your Membership Current Members

Private support through Friends of the Smithsonian membership plays a pivotal role in every Smithsonian experience. It is essential to this institution and its mission. Donors can choose to provide unrestricted support through a variety of Friends membership programs which offer exclusive benefits, privileges, and recognition.

If you choose to join as a Castle Circle or James Smithson Society member, you will be part of an extraordinarily dedicated group of friends and experience the wonders of the Smithsonian in a more engaged and rewarding way, with additional, specially designed benefits.

When you become a Friends of the Smithsonian member you become part of an important philanthropic group. Collectively, the Friends help make possible the one-of-a-kind exhibitions, programs, website content, research, and educational resources that people associate with the Smithsonian.

Membership support enriches the lives of children, families, and adults who seek knowledge and meaningful entertainment from the Smithsonian, across the country and around the world.

Please join us today.

Friends of the Smithsonian

A membership in the Friends of the Smithsonian provides philanthropic support to the entire institution, including all of our museums, the National Zoo, our research centers, Smithsonian website, outreach programs, and much more.

All Friends of the Smithsonian receive a subscription to Smithsonian magazine, exclusive shopping discounts at the museums and online, and more! Explore all benefits below.

Become a Member Renew Your Membership

Scholar ($80 - $174)

  • Subscription to Smithsonian*, the award-winning magazine of the arts, sciences and history
  • Invitation to four exclusive virtual programs with Smithsonian experts
  • Access to special members-only hours at select Smithsonian venues
  • Smithsonian annual pocket guide profiling exhibitions and work across the Institution
  • 10% discount on purchases at Smithsonian Museum Stores**, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the Smithsonian Catalog and SmithsonianStore.com
  • Special member rate for tickets to the Smithsonian’s IMAX theaters and Einstein Planetarium
  • Free admission to the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City
  • $250/person discount off one Smithsonian Journeys trip***

* Your Smithsonian magazine subscription: A portion ($39) of your annual contribution is designated for Smithsonian magazine. If you are a current Smithsonian National Associate member, you may have remaining issues on your magazine subscription. If so, in order to prevent your receipt of duplicate magazines, the Friends of the Smithsonian will adjust your new magazine benefit to begin when your existing subscription expires and will continue it until the end date of your Friends of the Smithsonian membership. By eliminating the duplication, the amount of your dues contribution that is tax deductible will increase. We will provide a statement of the tax-deductible portion of your membership in your acknowledgment letter.

** This discount is good only on purchases up to $200 and valid only in select Smithsonian Museum Stores.

*** This offer is good one time only for one member, with one travel companion, booked on the same tour. The offer is not combinable with other travel offers and is nontransferable. The tour must be booked directly with Smithsonian Journeys. This offer does not include student, private jet or tailor-made tours.

Archivist ($175 - $299)

  • An annual Smithsonian calendar
  • Invitation to a special welcome members-only tour at a Smithsonian Museum (offered one time to Archivists upon joining at this level)
  • Plus all Scholar level benefits

Researcher ($300 - $599)

  • The Smithsonian Institution Guidebook (sent one time to Researchers upon joining at this level)
  • 10% discount on purchases at select Smithsonian Museum dining facilities
  • Invitation to an annual members-only lecture by a distinguished Smithsonian curator, scholar or expert
  • Plus all Archivist level benefits

Curator ($600 - $1499)

  • A gift edition of a Smithsonian exhibition catalog or publication
  • Invitations to special Smithsonian events across the country
  • Invitation to an after-hours reception at a Smithsonian venue featuring major new initiatives or exhibitions
  • The Smithsonian Annual Report, mailed in the spring, providing an overview of the Smithsonian’s achievements and priorities from the previous year
  • Subscription to Smithsonian IMPACT, mailed three times a year, highlighting news and priorities throughout the Smithsonian
  • Plus all Researcher level benefits

Castle Circle

To thank Castle Circle members for your especially generous support, we are pleased to offer these benefits, designed to enhance your relationship with the Smithsonian.

Castle Circle members receive all Curator membership benefits in addition to perks and privileges specially selected for Castle Circle members.

Become a Member Renew Your Membership

Castle Circle ($1,500 - $3,499)

  • Access to a Castle Circle concierge at the Smithsonian who will respond to your inquiries, including providing help in planning a visit to the Smithsonian
  • Invitation to an exclusive after-hours reception at a Smithsonian venue featuring a recently opened exhibition
  • Subscription to Connections newsletter, a members-only publication featuring news and membership-specific updates from across the Smithsonian
  • An annual “Castle Stories” frameable print providing unique insights into the history of the Smithsonian Castle
  • 20% discount on purchases at Smithsonian Museum Stores*, the Smithsonian Catalog and SmithsonianStore.com
  • $500/per person discount off one Smithsonian Journeys trip**
  • Plus all Curator level benefits

* This discount is good only on purchases up to $200 and valid only in select Smithsonian Museum Stores.

** This offer is good for one member and one travel companion on the same tour booking, anytime you travel. This offer is not combinable with other offers and is nontransferable. Tours must be booked directly with Journeys. This offer does not include private jet or tailor-made tours.

James Smithson Society

In addition to enjoying all that Friends of the Smithsonian and Castle Circle has to offer, our most generous friends receive unique benefits designed to draw you into the heart of the Smithsonian and recognize your support in extraordinary ways. If you are a deeply dedicated Smithsonian supporter and wish to experience an even closer relationship with this one-of-a-kind institution, please accept our cordial invitation to join the James Smithson Society today.

Become a Member Renew Your Membership

$3,500 – $6,999

  • Access to a James Smithson Society concierge at the Smithsonian who will respond to your inquiries, including providing help in planning a visit to the Smithsonian
  • Exclusive lapel pin designating membership in the Smithsonian Society (sent one time upon joining at this level)
  • Invitation for two to the Annual Smithsonian Weekend, including a reception in a prominent Smithsonian venue and presentations from Smithsonian leadership (a $75 registration fee per attendee applies)
  • Private receptions and early entry to select Friends of the Smithsonian events
  • Invitation to the annual Food for Thought lecture and luncheon series, and an opportunity to sponsor the series
  • Recognition in the Smithsonian Annual Report and other publications
  • Plus all Castle Circle level benefits

$7,000 – $14,999

  • A private, scholar-hosted tour in a Smithsonian museum, research center or Affiliate museum upon request
  • During the Annual Smithsonian Weekend, access to small behind-the-scenes tours led by curators and scholars
  • Plus benefits of previous giving level.

$15,000 – $24,999

  • Invitation to an exclusive evening event during the Annual Smithsonian Weekend
  • Complimentary tickets to the Saturday evening reception at the Annual Smithsonian Weekend for two additional guests
  • Special recognition in Smithsonian print materials, including the Annual Smithsonian Weekend Donor Recognition program
  • The opportunity to consult (by appointment and request) with a Smithsonian curator about an object you own
  • Plus benefits of previous giving level.

$25,000 - $49,999

  • Recognition as a “Distinguished Host” of the Annual Smithsonian Weekend
  • A personalized tour of a new exhibition with the organizing curator (upon request)
  • The opportunity to visit (upon request) one of the Smithsonian’s research centers across the United States or Panama
  • Invitation to attend Salon events with Smithsonian experts
  • Receipt of the annual personalized Impact Report detailing projects at the Smithsonian you identified as important
  • Plus benefits of previous giving level.

$50,000+

  • The opportunity to host an event at your home with a Smithsonian expert
  • Receipt of a personalized Impact Report, sent twice yearly detailing projects at the Smithsonian you identified as important
  • An impact briefing with Smithsonian Advancement leadership.
  • Plus benefits of previous giving level.

Member Events

We are pleased to offer a variety of events curated for our different membership levels. Our signature events include an in-person lecture by a distinguished Smithsonian curator, scholar or expert and an after-hours, behind-the-scenes tour with reception for one of the Smithsonian's latest exhibitions. All member levels are invited to four virtual lectures from Smithsonian experts.

Members of the Castle Circle also enjoy an evening reception in a museum after hours specifically for Castle Circle members.

James Smithson Society members are granted early entry and a small private reception to select signature events, as well as an invitation for two to the Annual Smithsonian Weekend; a special weekend event with exclusive lectures and tours, a keynote address from the Secretary, and evening events with Smithsonian's leadership held in Smithsonian museums. Members at this level also receive an invitation to an exclusive exhibition opening or behind-the-scenes tour and to our summer Food for Thought lecture/luncheon series.

Our events are not limited to the Smithsonian’s campus. We take Smithsonian experts across the country to special in-person lecture/luncheon events and partner with Smithsonian Affiliate Museums. Members may also be invited to regional events put on by other Smithsonian museums.

View featured upcoming and recent member events »

Tax Information About Your Membership Dues

In accordance with IRS regulations, membership dues payments to the Friends of the Smithsonian are tax deductible, minus the fair market value of the customizable benefits you choose to receive. See tax-deductible benefits information for 2024: Friends of the Smithsonian and James Smithson Society. Over and above to their dues, many Friends of the Smithsonian members make additional gifts which are 100% tax-deductible.

Looking for a Media Membership?

Join the Friends of the Smithsonian at the Supporting Member level to receive Smithsonian magazine, a celebration of history, science, nature, and world culture, along with special member discounts in museums and online. This membership does not receive tax deduction benefits.

Contact Us

We can answer any questions you may have regarding your Friends of the Smithsonian membership or events you wish to attend, provide directions, or assist you in any other Smithsonian matter of importance to you. Or, get answers to frequently asked questions about Friends of the Smithsonian memberships and gifts in our FAQ »

Friends of the Smithsonian

t: 202-633-6300
t: 800-931-3226 (toll free)
f: 202-633-2043
membership@si.edu

 

Mailing Address
Friends of the Smithsonian
PO Box 37012, MRC 712
Washington, DC 20013-7012

James Smithson Society

t: 202-633-2040
t: 877-JSS-1775 (toll free)
smithsonsociety@si.edu

 

Mailing Address
James Smithson Society
PO Box 37012, MRC 712
Washington, DC 20013-7012

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