In-Kind Donations

Remember the APS and APRL when it is time to find a new home for some or all of the philatelic material, supplies, and literature in your collection.We turn your donations into resources that will enrich and educate future generations of collectors.

What Counts as an In-Kind Donation?

Donations of tangible personal property are often called “gifts in-kind.” The APS and APRL accept in-kind gifts of stamps, postal history material, philatelic literature, and hobby supplies. Gifts of philatelic-related material support the purpose of the APS and APRL as tax exempt organizations – therefore, the donor can deduct these at fair market value per IRS regulations.

Your In-Kind Donation Gives Back — Twice!

When you donate philatelic material in-kind to the APS and APRL, we keep it moving back into the hands of collectors.

Our team of volunteers helps us decide where your donation will make the biggest impact. Many stamps and supplies will support APS educational programming, while other material is added to our member-accessible library and reference collection. We also sell some philatelic material back to collectors. All proceeds of these sales support educational and youth programs, the reference collection, and the library.

What Should I Donate?

The APS accepts:

Beginner, advanced, and specialized collections.
Postal history and postcards
First day covers
Stamps on- and off-paper, used or unused
Supplies in good condition (mounts, hinges, tongs, album and album pages, stock sheets, etc.)

Unless requested otherwise, the APS Reference Collection gets the first choice of any stamps donated.

Donations of mint and unused (with gum intact) U.S. postage are very welcome, and are often used on APS direct mailings to offset regular postage costs.

The APRL accepts:

Literature and research material on all aspects of philately and postal history
Material relating to APS and APRL history
Exceptional and significant archival collections
Artifacts that provide insight or inspire curiosity about postal history and philately

Potential donors of philatelic literature and artifacts to the library should read the APRL donation guide here. If you aren’t sure whether your material is a good fit for the APRL’s collection, contact Marian Mills by phone at (814) 933-3803 ext. 246 or by email.

What Should I Avoid Donating?

The APS does not need:

Supplies that are no longer in usable condition, such as mounts that have shriveled up, hinges stuck together, or badly yellowed glassine envelopes

This list may be updated as needs change.

Unsure whether your collection has a new home at the APS? Contact our Donations team to discuss your potential donation by phone (814) 933-3803 ext. 225 or by email.

The APRL does not need:

Copies of The American Philatelist and Philatelic Literature Review, or Scott Catalogues published post-1925
Plaques, awards, and trophies
Reproductions or clippings from non-philatelic publications
Philatelic materials or reproductions of philatelic materials (such as photos of stamps)
Severely damaged or fragile items, or items with mold or pest exposure
Routine financial records such as invoices, receipts, ledgers, etc.
Materials with no connection to philately

Some exceptions may apply. Potential donors of philatelic literature and artifacts to the library should read the APRL donation guide here. If you aren’t sure whether your material is a good fit for the APRL’s collection, contact Marian Mills by phone at (814) 933-3803 ext. 246 or by email.

American Philatelic Society

In-Kind Donations: Support the APS & APRL