Gifts of works of art, money and other property or assets are a lifeline for all museums and art galleries. These can be made during a benefactor's lifetime or in their Will. Some of the Gallery's greatest treasures are works of art which have been donated from private collections or purchased in consultation with the director. Among the generous patrons who have contributed in this way during their lifetime are: James Fairfax, who has greatly enhanced the Gallery's Old Masters section by donating works from his own collection; Edward and Goldie Sternberg, who have given generously to the Asian collection and lectures series on Asian art; Kenneth and Yasuko Myer, who were instrumental in setting up the Japanese collection; Hepburn Myrtle, Margaret Olley, Mollie Gowing, Fred and Dorothy Street and John Schaeffer, who have made major contributions of works and money. Gifts in Wills have become increasingly important in building the Gallery's collection. Major donors who have left bequests to the Gallery include; Mervyn Horton, Rudy Komon, David Wilson, Patrick White, J.F. Archibald. Mary Heseltine and Yvonne Buchanan May. Changes to the tax legislation governing gifts and bequests are favourable to donors and should be discussed with your tax adviser or lawyer. The Gallery's Benefaction Manager is available to discuss any proposed gift or bequest and to explain the various options. The Gallery, in appreciation of donors' generosity, will offer appropriate acknowledgement. In the case of pledged bequests, donors will be offered honorary membership of the Foundation. Bequests can comprise specific amounts of money or assets such as art works, real estate, shares or proceeds of an insurance policy; proportions of estates; or residual estates after benefits have been allocated to family and friends. A bequest to the Gallery can be made either to the Trust or the Foundation. Gifts to the Trust may be for any purpose and gifts to the Foundation are only for the acquisition of major works of art. Suggested wording for a simple gift in a will to the Trust is: I give devise and bequeath [% of my estate/$x /the rest and residue of my estate] to the Art Gallery of New South Wales Trust ("the Gallery") for the use and benefit of the Gallery at its absolute discretion and I direct that a receipt from the Secretary of the Gallery shall be sufficient discharge for such gift. Suggested wording for a simple gift in a will to the Foundation is: I give devise and bequeath [% of my estate/$x /the rest and residue of my estate] to the Art Gallery of New South Wales Foundation ('the Foundation') for the use and benefit of the Foundation at its absolute discretion and I direct that a receipt from the Secretary of the Foundation shall be sufficient discharge for such gift. For further information contact:
The Benefaction Manager, Jane Wynter
Tel. (02) 9225 1818 Email: janew@ag.nsw.gov.au | 
