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As President Kennedy’s memorial, the Center does receive federal appropriations. However, those appropriations can be used only for the operation and maintenance of the building. That means we must rely on contributed and earned income to pay for all of our artistic and educational programming. Without earned and contributed revenue, the Kennedy Center would just be an empty building.

Ticket sales cover only about half of our total budget, so your contribution is vital to helping us fulfill our mission of ensuring children and adults nationwide are able to create, experience, learn about, and engage with the arts.

There are many ways you can support the Center and it's programs:

By joining as a Member, you will receive annual benefits such as access to tickets before the general public with Members-only Ticket Priority and Member exclusive events.

You can also make a fully-tax deductible gift to help extend our reach around the country and be recognized as a National Patron.

Visit the support page to learn more about other giving programs, such giving the gift of time by becoming a volunteer, leaving a legacy with the Center by making a , or attending a special event.

Please contact us online, via email, or phone and we will be happy to send you a tax-receipt. 

Honor someone for an achievement or milestone through a gift to the Kennedy Center, NSO, or WNO by contacting us at [email protected] or (202) 416-8041. To make a gift online in memory of someone, click here to complete our memorial donation form. You may also contact us at the email address or phone number listed above for other memorial gift payment forms.

A Subscription offers a series of tickets for specific performances in advance, typically before individual public sales dates. A Membership is a type of philanthropic contribution. The Member receives special benefits, such as exclusive events and access to tickets before the general public, as well as a tax deduction.

Both Membership gifts and donations are charitable contributions to the Center. A Membership gift is just a specific type of donation.

You become a Member of the Kennedy Center by making a donation to all Kennedy Center Programs, Kennedy Center Education, Social Impact programs, the NSO, WNO, or Ballet and Dance at specific levels. Your Membership then provides you special benefits, such as Members-only Ticket Priority, access to Donor Lounges, and invitations to special events. Memberships are renewable on an annual basis. Because some benefits provide you with tangible goods and services, per tax regulations there is a portion of your Membership gift that is not fully tax deducible. You can choose to decline tangible benefits and receive a full tax deduction. You will still receive non-tangible benefits (such as Ticket Priority).

You can also support the Kennedy Center without being a Member by making a fully tax-deductible gift to all Kennedy Center Programs, or by contributing to specific campaigns. In thanks for your support, we recognize you as a National Patron of the Kennedy Center. National Patrons do not receive specific benefits. 

No matter how you choose to support the Kennedy Center, NSO, or WNO, your contribution is appreciated!

Yes! Membership at any level makes a great gift for your favorite arts lover, and provides you with a tax deduction! Purchase a gift Membership online, or call us at (202) 416-8310.

Your Membership is valid for one year from the last day of the month in which you make your gift.  For example, if you join as a Member on January 4, 2020, your Membership will extend through January 31, 2021.

Memberships are eligible for renewal starting 3 months prior to your expiration date. If you renew during this 3 month window, you do not lose any time on your Membership;  your original expiration date is simply advanced one year. Once you are in your renewal period, you will be prompted to renew from your Patron Center. 

Members have the option to designate their gift to six different areas: WNO, NSO, Ballet & Dance Programming, Social Impact programs, Kennedy Center Education, or All Kennedy Center Programs (including WNO, NSO, Ballet & Dance, Social Impact programs, and Kennedy Center Education). At the basic Member levels ($75 Associate—$1,000 Principal) benefits do not vary based on designation. At the Circles levels ($1,800 Patron Circle and above) some benefits depend on the designation you select. Regardless of your designation, you can always purchase tickets in all genres during Members-only Ticket Priority periods.  

Due to processing time, there is sometimes a delay from when you send your gift to us to when mailings are sent from our office. If you made a gift in the last 2 weeks, it's likely your gift and our notice just crossed in the mail. Check your Patron Center account for your most up-to-date Membership status, and please get in touch if you have any questions!

Your Membership is eligible for renewal 3 months prior to your expiration date. Any gifts made in this 3 month window should advance your expiration date an additional year. If you made a gift prior to your renewal period, your gift is added to your current Membership year, possibly upgrading you. If you have questions about your renewal period or early renewals, please get in touch!

Please get in touch with us to discuss ways to customize your contribution. 

Certain Member benefits, such as events and receptions, have a cost to the Center associated with them. In accordance with IRS regulations, the value of these benefits must be deducted from the amount you can claim when filing taxes. Benefits with a taxable value are indicated by a ^ in the benefit listings on the Membership pages.

Should you wish, you can decline benefits, allowing you to claim the full value of your gift for tax purposes. Members who decline benefits are still eligible to receive benefits without a value of goods and services, including Ticket Priority. 

Members at the Circles levels are welcome to pay their gift in four consecutive monthly installments. Please call us at (202) 416-8068 for this option. 

Throughout the year you will be notified via email of Members-only Ticket Priority periods.

Ticket Priority provides Members with access to purchase tickets after subscribers, but before the general public. During these periods a selection of tickets is reserved for purchase exclusively by Members. These tickets are available beginning at 10 a.m. on the first day of the Priority Period. The selection of tickets reserved for Members may sell out during Ticket Priority before the general public on sale. Ticket Priority excludes the Kennedy Center Honors and Gala performances, as well as the Washington Ballet, Washington Performing Arts, and certain other non-Kennedy Center presentations.

Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office in person or over the phone by providing your name and address, as well as online. To purchase by phone, please call Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600. When purchasing tickets online during Ticket Priority Periods you simply need to log in to your Membership account, and you will be granted access to the presale. Please note if you become a Member online during a Ticket Priority Period you will need to log out and log back in to gain access to the presale.

To ensure you receive all Ticket Priority notifications, please ensure your email address is up to date and you have opted in to receive My Membership communications. Some notifications are only sent via email, so make sure your email is correct and you check it often!

Invitations to Membership events are sent individually throughout the year, based on when the event is occurring. Many event invitations are sent via email, so please make sure your correct email is in your account, and that you have opted in to receive My Membership emails. 

Some events may reach capacity prior to the RSVP date, so be sure to RSVP promptly once you receive the invitation.

Members receive discounts at the Roof Terrace Restaurant and KC Cafe at the Center, as well as various restaurants and hotels around town. Please see here for a full list of discounts. To recieve your discount, simply show your valid Membership card when you place your order, or mention you are Kennedy Center Member when making your reservation.

Certain Member benefits, such as events and receptions, have a cost to the Center associated with them. In accordance with IRS regulations, the value of these benefits must be deducted from the amount you can claim when filing taxes. Benefits with a taxable value are indicated by a ^ in the benefit listings on the Membership pages.

Should you wish, you can decline benefits, allowing you to claim the full value of your gift for tax purposes. Members who decline benefits are still eligible to receive benefits without a value of goods and services, including Ticket Priority. 

Members at the $180 Contributor level and above receive 4 digital parking discount coupons, each good for $2 off the price of parking in the Kennedy Center garage. Your digital coupon must be redeemed online when you pre-purchase; it cannot be used for in-person, day-of parking purchases. Once you add parking to your cart, you will be given the option to apply a parking coupon, should you have any remaining. If you are not given the option to apply a coupon, make sure you are logged in to the account that is associated with your Membership. This can be verified from your Patron Center.

To purchase by phone, please call Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600.

There are two donor lounges in each of our three main theaters: the Concert Hall, Opera House, and Eisenhower Theater. Members at the $180 Contributor level through the $1,000 Principal level are invited to use our Membership Lounges, located on the top tier of the theater. Membership Lounges are open 1 hour prior to curtain, and during intermission. To enter the Lounge, simply show your valid Membership card upon entry. A Member is invited to bring 3 guests with them into the Lounge.

All Circles Members have access to our Circles Lounges, located on the box tier of each theater. These Lounges are open 1 hour prior to curtain and during intermission. To enter the lounge, simply show your valid Circles card upon entry. A Circles Member is invited to bring 3 guests with them into the Lounge. A bar is available to purchase beverages and snacks.

Please get in touch or email [email protected] so we can quickly get you a new card. It can be mailed to you or left at the Center for you to pick up.