Your gift can be used to support current initiatives or special projects critical to maintaining our unique position as a nationally recognized children’s museum. Support can be directed to the following special projects.
Community Investment Tax Credit
Maryland’s Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) has to be one of the best buys in philanthropy. For every dollar you give, the net cost to you can be as little as 27 cents.
As of January 1, 2010, individuals as well as Maryland businesses are eligible for this innovative state program. When you make a contribution ($500 minimum) to our eligible CITC project, you receive a Maryland tax credit equal to 50% of your donation.
At Port Discovery, our CITC project supports the installation of new carpeting and safety flooring. The CITC is a great opportunity make targeted contributions for a minimal cost.
To learn more about the CITC program, click here or contact Dawn Sacks at 410.864.2656 or dsacks@portdiscovery.org.
Port Discovery invites you to become a supporter of Tot Trails, our infant/toddler exhibit that provides a creative, fun-filled interactive learning space for children ages birth through three-years-old.
Help bring the joy of learning through play to infants and toddlers by pledging a gift of $100 or more. We will acknowledge your generosity by displaying your family name on a bird, butterfly, or ladybug decal that will be permanently displayed on the Tot Trails donor wall.
Help bring the joy of learning through play to infants and toddlers by pledging a gift of $100 or more. We will acknowledge your generosity by displaying your family name on a bird, butterfly, or ladybug decal that will be permanently displayed on the Tot Trails donor wall.
By taking the Port Discovery Challenge, you can help bring blockbuster traveling exhibits to Baltimore. Imagine the joy and excitement on a child’s face when he or she sees a favorite character come to life through a special exhibition at Port Discovery Children’s Museum!
Port Discovery is the only museum in the metropolitan area that can provide children opportunities to explore interactive, educational traveling exhibits. Yet, during these challenging times, it has become increasingly difficult to host traveling exhibitions, while keeping the cost of admissions and memberships down.
Current gifts to the Port Discovery Challenge will support plans for our next scheduled traveling exhibits – The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head (summer 2012) and The Wizard of Oz Children's Exhibition (winter 2013).
Port Discovery is the only museum in the metropolitan area that can provide children opportunities to explore interactive, educational traveling exhibits. Yet, during these challenging times, it has become increasingly difficult to host traveling exhibitions, while keeping the cost of admissions and memberships down.
Current gifts to the Port Discovery Challenge will support plans for our next scheduled traveling exhibits – The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head (summer 2012) and The Wizard of Oz Children's Exhibition (winter 2013).
You gift will provide free or reduced admission to children in schools and community organizations from underserved communities and will support the Museum’s education and after-school programs.
Port Discovery is committed to providing all children with access to safe, productive play environments regardless of economic status. Your gift will ensure that all children and families can benefit from the power of play by providing free admission for economically disadvantaged families.
There are several ways to make your gift:
Convenient, fast and secure - make an online gift using your credit card by clicking here.
By Mail
Download our Donation Form
Send form and your check or money order to Port Discovery Children’s Museum
Attn: Development Department
35 Market Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
By Phone
Call us at 410.864.2672 to make a gift using your credit card or to ask us any questions about your tax-deductible gift.
For more information on any giving program, contact us at 410.864.2672 or email to development@portdiscovery.org.
Community Investment Tax Credit
Port Discovery is excited to announce that the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded the Museum $20,000 in Community Investment Tax Credits for contributors who support our Flooring Replacement Project.
Businesses and individuals that donate a minimum of $500 to Port Discovery’s Flooring Replacement Project will receive tax credits equal to 50% of the value of the contribution. These tax credits are in addition to the deductions on both Federal and Sate taxes as a result of the charitable contributions.
What is the Flooring Replacement Project?
Since the Museum’s opening in 1998, over 3 million visitors have passed through our doors, resulting in significant “wear and tear” to the Museum’s flooring, which requires frequent and costly repair. Additionally, as an institution welcoming children and families, frequent cleaning is necessary, which further contributes to flooring degradation. The proposed Flooring Replacement Project will replace the well-worn, original 12 year-old carpet throughout the Museum, as well as safety flooring materials surrounding KidWorks, our active play area.
Our primary objective is to help ensure the health and safety of our visitors. Children engage in play-to-learn activities throughout the Museum, while parents and other caregivers learn how to teach children through play. Flooring at Port Discovery is not just floor covering – it is an integral part of the play experience, especially for our youngest visitors, ages 5 and under, engaged in Early Childhood exhibits and programs. These children have a great deal of contact with flooring as they lie, sit, crawl, and try their new walking skills, or participate in our daily Circle Times in The Oasis exhibit in which young children, caregivers, and staff sit together on the floor to engage in stories, songs, and more.
Eligible Donors
Businesses: Any entity conducting a trade or business in the State and is subject to: the State income tax on individuals or corporations; the public service company franchise tax or insurance premiums tax. These types of entities generally include corporations, public utility companies, insurance companies, financial institutions, S corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships and limited liability corporations.
Individuals: An individual is a resident of Maryland if the individual is domiciled in Maryland on the last day of the taxable year or if the individual maintains a place of abode in Maryland for more than six months of the taxable year and is physically present in the State for 183 days or more during the taxable year.
Individuals and businesses that make charitable contributions benefit by:
Community Investment Tax Credit
Port Discovery is excited to announce that the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded the Museum $20,000 in Community Investment Tax Credits for contributors who support our Flooring Replacement Project.
Businesses and individuals that donate a minimum of $500 to Port Discovery’s Flooring Replacement Project will receive tax credits equal to 50% of the value of the contribution. These tax credits are in addition to the deductions on both Federal and Sate taxes as a result of the charitable contributions.
What is the Flooring Replacement Project?
Since the Museum’s opening in 1998, over 3 million visitors have passed through our doors, resulting in significant “wear and tear” to the Museum’s flooring, which requires frequent and costly repair. Additionally, as an institution welcoming children and families, frequent cleaning is necessary, which further contributes to flooring degradation. The proposed Flooring Replacement Project will replace the well-worn, original 12 year-old carpet throughout the Museum, as well as safety flooring materials surrounding KidWorks, our active play area.
Our primary objective is to help ensure the health and safety of our visitors. Children engage in play-to-learn activities throughout the Museum, while parents and other caregivers learn how to teach children through play. Flooring at Port Discovery is not just floor covering – it is an integral part of the play experience, especially for our youngest visitors, ages 5 and under, engaged in Early Childhood exhibits and programs. These children have a great deal of contact with flooring as they lie, sit, crawl, and try their new walking skills, or participate in our daily Circle Times in The Oasis exhibit in which young children, caregivers, and staff sit together on the floor to engage in stories, songs, and more.
Eligible Donors
Businesses: Any entity conducting a trade or business in the State and is subject to: the State income tax on individuals or corporations; the public service company franchise tax or insurance premiums tax. These types of entities generally include corporations, public utility companies, insurance companies, financial institutions, S corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships and limited liability corporations.
Individuals: An individual is a resident of Maryland if the individual is domiciled in Maryland on the last day of the taxable year or if the individual maintains a place of abode in Maryland for more than six months of the taxable year and is physically present in the State for 183 days or more during the taxable year.
Individuals and businesses that make charitable contributions benefit by:
- Reducing their Maryland tax liability
- Helping a local nonprofit organization achieve an essential community goal
- Making a targeted community impact
- Improving community relations and increasing their visibility
Initial cash gift by donor: $1,000
Maryland tax savings achieved on donation: $70 (7%)
Federal tax savings achieved on donation: $150 (35%)
CITC awarded: $500 (Based on 50% of donation)
Net cost to donor of contribution: $280
To donate, download the CITC Certification Form.
*Note: Tax rates shown are for illustrative purposes only. Actual rates will vary based on the particular income and legal structure of each individual and business. Individuals and businesses must use the tax credits against taxes owed for the year in which the contribution was made and may not be used retroactively for taxes from a prior year. Any individual or business contemplating making a donation is encouraged to consult with their accountant or tax professional for information about their specific tax benefits.
