Donate to our Cultural Collection

We ask interested parties to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) Form, providing details of your proposed donation. Your EOI is assessed against the Botanic Gardens Collections Policy and the Cultural Gifts Program requirements.

EOI assessments may take a number of months depending on the nature of the materials. In the case of large and complex offers, we may need to conduct a site visit to view and assess the materials.

Once the review process has been completed, Botanic Gardens of Sydney will notify the donor of our outcome of the Expression of Interest. If the donor’s Expression of Interest is accepted, the Botanic Gardens will begin the donation process.

As part of the process, Botanic Gardens of Sydney will also draft a Deed of Gift to be executed by the donor, which acknowledges the donation. This form is independent of the Cultural Gifts Program application. If the donor wishes to make the donation tax-deductible, the donation will need to be processed via the Cultural Gifts Program (see info below).

Once the item has been accepted, we will advise the donor on how to supply the item to the Botanic Gardens.

Items the Botanic Gardens of Sydney accepts:

1. Items not already in the Botanic Gardens' collection
2. Items connected to the history of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney
3. Items containing a significant mention of the Botanic Gardens
4. Items related to a person of significance who is/was connected to the Botanic Gardens
5. Items that demonstrates the history or heritage of the Botanic Gardens
6. Items that have First Nations heritage, verified by a First Nations Elder

Items the Botanic Gardens of Sydney doesn't accept:

1. Items that are in poor condition
2. Textbooks and technical material not originating in Sydney
3. Theses and dissertations
4. Self-published material not originating in Sydney
5. Photocopies of original material or publications
6. Items that are still required for ongoing use (e.g. current business records)
7. Items that are more suitable for another collecting institution

The Cultural Gifts Program offers tax incentives to encourage people to donate cultural items to institutions such as Botanic Gardens of Sydney in Australia.

Each donation requires valuation from at least two approved valuers. This cost is to be paid for by the donor. If you arrange and pay for valuations for your donation, the cost of those valuations is tax deductible.

Your donation will be assessed by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts in conjunction with the Australian Tax Office. The timeline of your donation via the Cultural Gifts Program and subsequent tax incentives are not determined by Botanic Gardens of Sydney.

For further information on the Cultural Gifts Program, please click here.

Please note that this process is only required for donations that are made with the intention of receiving a tax-deduction. The Gardens will review all donations, regardless of whether you seek a tax-deduction.

Acknowledgement of your donation will be outlined within the Deed of Gift provided by Botanic Gardens of Sydney.

For items that are on public display, Botanic Gardens may create a plaque to provide interpretation of the materials and acknowledge the donor, in line with the Botanic Gardens Plaque Policy (available upon request).