Ways to Give

Whether through membership, or through a lifetime or estate gift to Mount Vernon as part of careful financial planning, you will help preserve George Washington’s home and sustain educational programs about the Father of Our Country for the benefit of millions of future visitors – from schoolchildren to patriotic citizens.

 George Washington’s remarkable life proves how one person’s efforts can make an enormous difference. Again and again, when standing at our country’s most critical crossroads, Washington demonstrated leadership and character by delivering peace and liberty to succeeding generations of Americans as “a blessing to Millions yet unborn.”

You, too, can follow in Washington’s footsteps and make an enormous difference.

Founded in 1853, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association was created to save our first president’s home from the indignity of poor upkeep and potential ruin. The Association obtained full possession of Washington's Estate from his heirs in 1860. It remains one of the largest and oldest women-led organizations, and is often credited for sparking the historic preservation movement in America. The group has successfully nurtured Mount Vernon to be the most well-preserved and extensively documented 18th century plantation in North America, while emerging as a beloved and world-class national treasure.

The Association is a private, not-for-profit organization that owns and maintains the former president’s home in trust for the people of the United States and the world. As a tax-exempt 501C (3) IRS organization (Tax ID # 54-0564701), we have relied solely on donations from private resources – those of generous individuals and institutions – and we accept no government funding.

Our mission statement "… is to preserve, restore and manage the estate of George Washington to the highest standards and to educate visitors and people throughout the world about the life and legacies of George Washington, so that his examples of character and leadership will continue to inform and inspire future generations.”