ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Gotta love the accountants.
I've never heard of spreading the income from membership gifts over 12 months. This is
not a rental agreement, this is an unrestricted donation. We count all of our donations,
including membership gifts at all levels,  at the time they are received. Even if we
didn't have a building, we'd have memberships; the fact that they expire in 6 months or
12 months is just so that we can ask them for another donation at least once a year. I
would challenge your accountants to show you a local art museum, historical society, or
SPCA that spreads membership out over 12 months. (maybe health clubs do this, but not
museums).

As far as exhibits go, we do capitalize them as assets and depreciate them over time.
They have a cost and a value. I think you can be  conservative or liberal in assigning
value (for example, what does staff time actually cost?) but be consistent.
Mike

ps -- of course I am not an accountant, don't work for the IRS, will not accompany you in
front of your board, yadda yadda yadda.
*********************************************************
Michael Katz,  Director of Marketing and Development, Sciencenter
   Ithaca, N.Y.  (607)272-0600  Ext 18.   http://www.sciencenterexhibits.org

The Sciencenter mission is to inspire people of all ages and
backgrounds to discover the excitement of science through
programs and exhibits that promote learning through interaction.

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