Although passive acquisitions make up a significant portion of museum collections, very little is known about why people choose to donate their objects. Authors typically brush past passive acquisitions, quickly moving on to discussions about collecting policies. In the past, donors were mainly seeking prestige, though educational aims were also often cited. Today’s donors are looking for a way to divest the responsibility of items they consider historically significant. Unable to collect everything, museums should look at others way to divest that responsibility. Donors are a key stakeholder for museums and understanding why they donate will provide insights into how museums can best serve their communities.
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