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Two people sitting and looking at Luncheon of the Boating Party

What is a Next Century Steward?

A simple step. A lasting impact.

A Next Century Steward is someone who has included The Phillips Collection in their long-term plans—through a will, trust, retirement account, or other beneficiary designation.

These commitments:

  • Cost nothing today
  • Are flexible and can be updated at any time
  • Help ensure the Phillips remains a welcoming home for art, ideas, and community

Those who join by September 28 will be included in the first recognition of Next Century Stewards, honoring their commitment to the museum’s future alongside those whose earlier commitments have helped sustain it.

Meet the Next Century Stewards

Why they chose to act 

Over the coming months, we will share brief reflections from Trustees and supporters who have made legacy commitments—each offering a personal perspective on what the Phillips means in their lives. 

Someone playing the violin to a crowd in the Phillips galleries

Why a legacy gift?

A natural extension of your support

Many of the Phillips’s most dedicated supporters choose to include the museum in their estate plans as a way to:

  • Sustain what they value most about the Phillips
  • Extend their impact beyond their lifetime
  • Support future generations of visitors, students, and artists

Whether your connection is rooted in time spent in the galleries, the experience of Phillips Music, or the Phillips’s role in the community, a legacy gift helps ensure those experiences continue.

People in the Music Room for a luncheon

Eliza Laughlin Society

Join a community of forward-looking supporters

The Eliza Laughlin Society recognizes those who have made legacy commitments to The Phillips Collection—continuing a tradition established by Duncan Phillips’s mother, whose bequest helped shape the museum’s future.

Members are invited to:

  • Special gatherings and behind-the-scenes experiences
  • An annual luncheon celebrating this shared commitment
  • Opportunities to engage more deeply with the museum’s work

Meet the Next Century Stewards

Why they chose to act 

Over the coming months, we will share brief reflections from Trustees and supporters who have made legacy commitments—each offering a personal perspective on what the Phillips means in their lives. 

Photo of two people smiling and hugging in the galleries

How to Take the Next Step

It’s easier than you might think

You can include The Phillips Collection in your plans in a number of simple ways:

  • Will or trust
  • Retirement account
  • Donor advised fund
  • Life insurance

Request a Confidential Conversation

[ Notify Us of Your Plans ]

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Any information you share will be kept in confidence, and your plans can be changed at any time.

The Phillips Collection has always been sustained by individuals who believed in its future. 

We invite you to join them—helping to ensure that this remarkable place continues to inspire, connect, and endure for generations to come. 

Join by September 14 to be included in the first recognition of Next Century Stewards